Trump's Withdrawal From WHO And Halt On Foreign Aid: Impact And Consequences

On July 7, 2020, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would be withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO) and halting foreign aid to Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Somalia. The President’s decision was met with widespread criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, as well as from public health experts and aid organizations.

The Impact of Withdrawal from WHO

The WHO is a United Nations agency that plays a critical role in global public health. It provides technical assistance to countries in the areas of disease prevention, control, and surveillance. It also sets global health standards, provides guidance on health emergencies, and promotes universal health coverage.

The US withdrawal from the WHO could have several negative consequences for global health. First, it could weaken the WHO’s ability to respond to global health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, it could lead to a decline in global health research and development. Third, it could make it more difficult for the WHO to set global health standards and provide guidance to countries. The withdrawal could also damage the US’s diplomatic relations with other countries, as well as its reputation as a leader in global health.

The withdrawal from the WHO has been criticized by many public health experts. Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Tom Frieden said that the withdrawal was a “major mistake” that would “harm the health of Americans and people around the world.” The American Public Health Association (APHA) called the withdrawal a “reckless and irresponsible action” that would “undermine global health security.”

The Impact of Halt on Foreign Aid

The US is the largest provider of foreign aid in the world. In 2019, the US provided $39 billion in foreign aid to developing countries. This aid is used to fund a variety of programs, including health care, education, nutrition, and economic development.

The halt on foreign aid to Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Somalia could have a devastating impact on these countries. These countries are among the poorest in the world and rely heavily on foreign aid to meet their basic needs. The halt in aid could lead to increased poverty, hunger, and disease. It could also destabilize the region and lead to conflict.

The halt on foreign aid has been criticized by many humanitarian organizations. The United Nations said that the decision would “have a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people.” Save the Children said that the decision was “a death sentence for millions of children. "

Conclusion

President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO and halt foreign aid to Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Somalia is a major blow to global health and development. The withdrawal from the WHO could weaken the organization’s ability to respond to global health emergencies, lead to a decline in global health research and development, and make it more difficult for the WHO to set global health standards and provide guidance to countries. The halt on foreign aid could lead to increased poverty, hunger, and disease in the affected countries. It could also destabilize the region and lead to conflict.

The President’s decision has been widely criticized by public health experts and humanitarian organizations. It is unclear whether the President will reconsider his decision, but the consequences of these actions are likely to be far-reaching.