WHO Restructures Amid U.S. Withdrawal to Reprioritize Efforts

The World Health Organization is realigning priorities and setting a one-year limit on staff contracts to enhance sustainability after the U.S. withdrawal. The agency's senior officials are focusing on directing resources to critical areas and seeking additional funding from countries and private donors.

The World Health Organization is taking steps to set new priorities by imposing a one-year limit on staff contracts. This move is part of a strategy to ensure sustainability following the United States' decision to withdraw support, according to an internal memo released on Tuesday.

The memo, dated March 10 and signed by WHO's Assistant Director-General Raul Thomas, details further cost-cutting measures. These measures are the latest in a series of responses to the challenges posed by shifting U.S. support since President Donald Trump's announcement in January.

WHO senior officials are engaged in a prioritization process to ensure resources are allocated to the most critical priorities. The organization aims to secure additional funding from countries, private donors, and philanthropists, but the memo does not specify the results of these efforts yet. No immediate staff cuts were announced, although some tough decisions are inevitable because of the current challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)