The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the suspension of USAID funding is severely affecting global health programs, disrupting efforts to combat HIV, polio, mpox, and bird flu in at least 50 countries. The freeze follows a decision by US President Donald Trump to halt tens of billions of dollars in overseas aid, citing concerns over wasteful spending.
According to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the abrupt funding cut has left health initiatives in crisis, shuttering clinics, delaying vaccine development, and putting thousands of healthcare workers on leave. The move has sparked international concern over the future of life-saving interventions previously supported by the United States.
Major HIV relief program among those affected
One of the most significant consequences of the USAID freeze is the disruption of PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which provides HIV treatment, testing, and prevention services worldwide. Dr. Tedros stated that these services have been halted across 50 countries, leaving millions of people vulnerable.
“Clinics are shuttered and health workers have been put on leave,” he said at a WHO briefing, highlighting the immediate impact of the funding cut. The WHO has initiated emergency measures, including coordinating medicine-sharing between countries, but these solutions remain temporary.
According to Meg Doherty, director of WHO’s global HIV, hepatitis, and STI programs, this approach is unsustainable. “We have been seeking support from country to country for sharing, but this is a short-term approach,” she stated, emphasizing the need for a long-term funding solution.
Trump administration targets USAID amid corruption claims
President Trump’s decision to freeze USAID funding is part of a broader effort to reduce government spending on international aid. He has described USAID as “totally unexplainable” and “incompetent and corrupt”, although no clear evidence has been provided to support these claims.
According to WHO, USAID’s annual budget of $40 billion—representing about 0.6% of total US government spending—has played a critical role in global health initiatives, particularly in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Ukraine. The funding freeze has also affected bird flu surveillance, with the US reducing its reporting of human cases, raising concerns about potential global health security risks.
Adding to the controversy, tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has been involved in White House discussions on cutting federal spending, has also called USAID “a criminal organization”. However, neither Trump nor Musk have provided verifiable evidence to substantiate their claims.
