The World Health Organization has said that the decision by the United States to halt funding to the global body will significantly affect countries in Africa.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered his administration to cut funding to the WHO accusing it of promoting what he calls China’s “disinformation” about the coronavirus.
President Trump said the WHO failed in its duties and its cover up for China was likely to led to a wider outbreak.
The director general of the World Health Organization has said that the agency “is getting on with the job” despite the US halting funding to the body.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who has been under pressure from US politicians over his leadership and handling of the coronavirus pandemic said “We regret the decision of the President of the United States to order a halt in funding to the World Health Organization.”
But the regional head of the WHO for Africa says the cut in funding to the WHO by the US will greatly affect Africa.
The US is the largest contributor to the WHO and a cut in funding will mean funds earmarked for African countries would be in jeopardy.
The WHO African regional head, Matshidiso Moeti said programmes related to immunisation especially Polio will be affected in many countries.
She has appealed to the US to reconsider President Trump’s decision.
Dr @MoetiTshidi during this afternoon’s media briefing on #COVID19 in #Africa: “The US government is a very important partner not only in financial terms but also it an important strategic partner… We value our relationship.” pic.twitter.com/ALNt1RIhwx
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) April 16, 2020
Trump told reporters at the White House this week that “I am directing my administration to halt funding while a review is conducted to access the World Health Organization’s role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus.”
“The WHO failed in its basic duty and it must be held accountable,” Trump added.
He said “With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have deep concerns whether America’s generosity has been put to the best use possible.”
Donald Trump suspends US funding to World Health Org, says the organisation ‘failed in its basic duty and must be held accountable’ #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/u35cy4I3iy
— Samira Sawlani (@samirasawlani) April 14, 2020
Source: Africafeeds.com
