MSF statement on US decision to withdraw from WHO

NEW YORK, JANUARY 22, 2025 —Earlier this week, on January 20, President Donald Trump issued an executive order announcing that the United States will withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Avril Benoît, CEO of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières in the United States (MSF USA), issued the following statement in response:

"President Trump's decision to withdraw from the WHO could have life-threatening consequences for people in the humanitarian contexts where we work as well as in the US.

“The WHO, while in need of reforms, plays a vital role in coordinating global medical research and information sharing, helping governments respond to urgent public health crises, and stopping the spread of disease outbreaks.

“The US has long benefited from extraordinary leverage within the WHO, as its largest financial backer and a major source of expertise. By choosing to cut off support for the WHO, the US would be relinquishing its ability to push for reforms or influence critical global health policies, including those related to preventing future public health emergencies.

“Instead of playing politics with public health, the US should be strengthening its leadership on global health matters and working to ensure a safer, healthier future.

“With support from the US, the WHO has led eradication efforts for some of history's cruelest diseases, including smallpox and polio—and plans to eliminate a further 20 diseases by 2030.

“As we see in our medical projects in more than 70 countries, disease knows no borders. We all benefit from international collaboration to confront global health challenges, share knowledge and expertise, and develop new medical tools and treatments.”