MedGlobal Alarmed by the U.S.A. Withdrawal from th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 21, 2025

CONTACT: 

Prapti Ajmera, [email protected], 202-867-5231

MedGlobal Alarmed by the U.S.A. Withdrawal from the World Health Organization

CHICAGO, IL—MedGlobal, a major humanitarian organization that provides emergency medical response and health programs to support vulnerable communities around the world, expressed alarm at the U.S. administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). 

“The decision to withdraw the United States from the WHO is a grave mistake that could have severe consequences for global health – including here in the US,” said Dr. Zaher Sahloul, president and co-founder of MedGlobal. “The WHO is a cornerstone of international collaboration in addressing pandemics, health crises, and diseases that know no borders. Without US leadership and funding, the global health community’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies will be significantly weakened.”

The WHO has been instrumental in coordinating global responses to health emergencies such as COVID-19, HIV, Ebola, and Zika, and eradicating Smallpox. The United States has been the largest financial contributor to the WHO, donating $1.28 billion to the 2022-2023 biennium. This funding has supported vital programs addressing polio eradication, disease surveillance, pandemic preparedness, and health crises in major global conflict zones, including Gaza and Sudan.

The decision to withdraw from the WHO comes at the same time as the president also signed a new executive order intended to suspend funding for key foreign assistance across the globe, which could have further alarming impacts on humanitarian and medical workers’ capacity to save lives, care for those in need, and build resilience against future crises. 

“Global health is American health. Isolating the US from global health and humanitarian efforts will not foster healthier, safer conditions at home,” said MedGlobal’s Executive Director Joseph Belliveau. “We urge the U.S. administration to act as a global health leader, instead of abandoning its vital health and humanitarian responsibilities on the world stage.”

###

MedGlobal is a humanitarian nonprofit organization that provides emergency response and health programs to build resilience among vulnerable communities worldwide. Its health programs support victims of crisis and conflict, refugees, internally displaced persons, and marginalized communities in disaster-affected and low-resource settings.