6 hours ago
10
January 24, 2025 | 11:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The U.S. plan to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) will squeeze Africa's health initiatives, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday, January 23, 2025, calling on African countries to find alternative sources of financing.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the WHO exit on Monday, shortly after his inauguration to a second term.
The concerns raised by Africa's leading public health officials are a sign of the potential impact of the U.S. decision on the U.N. agency's ability to fight diseases and respond to emergencies round the globe without its biggest funder.
Africa CDC senior official Ngashi Ngongo said many countries had been relying on U.S. investment via the WHO to fund public health drives.
"We know the role that the WHO has played on the continent... to really improve the delivery of health programs," Ngongo told a media briefing.
"The reduction or the cutting of (U.S.) funding is definitely going to affect the response.
"It is time for some of the African member states to rethink the financing of public health."
Zimbabwe's finance minister on Wednesday expressed concern that the U.S. withdrawal could signal cuts in health aid to countries such as his that are most affected by HIV/AIDS.
Ngongo said once Africa CDC takes stock of the situation, it might explore funding opportunities with other non-African countries to compensate for the expected fall in WHO support.
While Ngongo does not expect Trump's order to have a big impact on Africa CDC, he expressed concern a joint action plan the health body had been developing with the U.S. government over the past year could also now be at risk.
REUTERS
Editor’s Choice: U.S. to Leave World Health Organization on Jan. 22, 2026, Says UN
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Meta Seeks Urgent Fix to AI Chatbot's Confusion on Name of US President
6 jam lalu
AI chatbot fails to identify the current president of the United States, Meta urgently fixes the issue.
North Korea's Assembly Meets But No Mention of Unification, Foreign Policy Changes
10 jam lalu
North Korea's KCNA did not mention either whether leader Kim Jong Un had attended the sessions, nor did it report any decisions on foreign policy.
U.S. to Leave World Health Organization on Jan. 22, 2026, Says UN
16 jam lalu
The United States (U.S.) will leave the World Health Organization on Jan. 22, 2026, the United Nations said on Thursday.
Rights Groups Warn Trump Executive Order Would Restore Muslim 'Travel Ban'
1 hari lalu
The U.S. civil rights group warns President Donald Trump's executive order would restore a ban on travelers from predominantly Muslim countries.
Saudi Arabia Plans $600bn in New U.S. Investment, Trade Over Four Years
1 hari lalu
Trump fostered close ties with Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, during his first term.
NATO Chief Rutte Says Europe Will Fund US Weapons for Ukraine
1 hari lalu
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the U.S. will continue supplying Ukraine from its defense industrial base at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
U.S. Expected to Boost Economic, Security Ties with Indonesia
1 hari lalu
U.S. foreign policy, in relation to Indonesia, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio is likely to put focus on economic and security cooperation.
Trump Threatens Russia with Tariffs if Ukraine War Deal Not Reached
1 hari lalu
Trump declared dozens of times that he would have a deal in place between Ukraine and Russia on his first day in office, if not before.
U.S. State Secretary Holds Phone Call with Indonesia's Sugiono, Discussing Partnership
1 hari lalu
Marco Rubio began his tenure as the top U.S. diplomat on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
U.S. Military to Send Additional 1,500 Troops to Mexico Border
1 hari lalu
During his first term, Republican Trump ordered 5,200 troops to help secure the border with Mexico.
