US Exit From WHO Risks Global Safety, Agency Warns

The flag of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) flies at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a detailed statement expressing regret over the United States’ decision to withdraw from the UN agency, warning that the move will leave both the US and the world less safe.

Released on Saturday, the statement also includes a rebuttal of the US administration’s stated reasons for the withdrawal. Responding to claims that the WHO has “trashed and tarnished” and insulted the United States, and compromised its independence, the agency said “the reverse is true” and stressed that it has always sought to engage with the US in good faith, with full respect for its sovereignty.

The WHO also rejected the accusation that it has pursued a “politicised, bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests,” describing the claim as untrue. The agency said it has always remained impartial and exists to serve all countries with respect for their sovereignty, without fear or favour.

Defence of COVID-19 response

A significant portion of the statement is dedicated to defending the WHO against US accusations of failures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The administration has alleged that the WHO obstructed the timely and accurate sharing of critical information and concealed shortcomings.

In response, the agency said it acted quickly throughout the pandemic, shared all available information transparently, and advised Member States based on the best available scientific evidence. The WHO recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing but did not recommend mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns.

Immediately after receiving the first reports of a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019, the WHO sought further information from China and activated its emergency incident management system.

By the time the first COVID-19-related death was reported in China on January 11, 2020, the WHO had already alerted the world through formal channels, public statements and social media, convened global experts, and published comprehensive guidance for countries on protecting populations and health systems.

When the WHO Director-General declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020 — the highest level of alarm under international health law — fewer than 100 cases and no deaths had been reported outside China.

In the early stages of the pandemic, the Director-General repeatedly urged countries to take immediate action, warning that the “window of opportunity is closing,” stating that “this is not a drill,” and describing COVID-19 as “public enemy number one.”

Following multiple reviews of the pandemic, including assessments of the WHO’s own performance, the agency said it has taken steps to strengthen its operations and support countries in improving pandemic preparedness and response capacities. Systems developed and managed by the WHO before, during and after the emergency phase have contributed to global health security, including in the United States.

Door open for US return

Despite the withdrawal notice, the WHO said it remains committed to global cooperation and hopes the United States will re-engage in the future. The agency highlighted recent milestones, including the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, described as a landmark international legal instrument aimed at preventing and responding to future pandemics.

As a founding member of the WHO, the United States has played a major role in many of the agency’s achievements, including the eradication of smallpox and progress against polio, HIV, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance and food safety threats.

“WHO remains steadfastly committed to working with all countries in pursuit of its core mission,” the statement concluded, reaffirming its mandate to advance “the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people.”