ABC News //

The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO). The United States began the process of withdrawing from the WHO a year ago through an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump. On Thursday, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the State Department said that the process has already been completed.

A senior HHS official said that the Trump administration believes that the WHO has deviated from its original mission. They believe that the WHO has failed to meet standards of reform, accountability and transparency.

The official also said that the WHO’s role in combating the Covid-19 pandemic has been particularly criticized. The WHO was late in declaring Covid-19 a global health emergency. He accused the organization of acting against US interests in many ways.

The Trump administration claims that the US has donated more to the WHO than China and other countries. He noted that no American has ever been the director-general of the WHO in its history.

According to UN rules, a country must notify authorities one year before leaving the WHO. The US officially notified the WHO when Trump signed an executive order last year.

According to the UN, more than $270 million in pledged US funding for the 2024-25 period is still outstanding.

A senior HHS official said the Trump administration believes the US is not legally obligated to pay the money under the WHO’s constitution.

The White House has said the US will continue to play a role in global public health outside of the WHO framework.

A HHS official said the US Department of Health and Human Services has more than 2,000 staff in 63 countries. It has bilateral agreements with more than 100 countries.

The official said the US plans to continue its work in disease surveillance, diagnosis and outbreak response.

A WHO spokesperson said the US withdrawal will be discussed at a meeting of the organization’s executive board in early February. Action will be taken in accordance with the guidance of the governing body.

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