The United States President Donald Trump’s move to stop funding to the World Health Organization over its handling of the global coronavirus pandemic has not been received well by world leaders who continue to appeal for cooperation and unity, reported Reuters.
While announcing the decision to halt the funding on Tuesday, Trump said a review is being conducted to assess WHO’s “role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of coronavirus” and for “failing to adequately obtain, vet, and share information in a timely and transparent fashion.”
According to the U.S. president, the Geneva-based WHO had promoted China’s disinformation about the coronavirus that resulted in a wider outbreak than otherwise would have occurred.
Notably, the United States is the biggest contributor to the WHO, contributing more than $400 million in 2019, around 15% of the health body’s overall budget.
The WHO has not yet commented on the development. The international body is appealing for more than $1 billion to fund operations against the pandemic.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was not the time to halt the WHO’s resources.
“Now is the time for unity and for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its shattering consequences,” he said in a statement.
Chinese Foreign Ministry also urged the United States on Wednesday to fulfil its obligations to the WHO.
“This decision weakens the WHO’s capability and harms international cooperation,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said there was no reason to justify the U.S. president’s move at a time when more and more efforts are needed to curb the pandemic.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said apportioning blame will not help in current situation.
“The virus knows no borders,” Maas said on Twitter.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the WHO was essential to tackling the pandemic.
