The United States has officially completed the process of withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO). The US Department of Health and Human Services announced this on Thursday, January 22.

Meanwhile, according to Bloomberg and Reuters, Washington has yet to repay its debt to the organization, which is estimated at approximately $260 million . The Associated Press reports a lower estimate of over $130 million.

The US authorities explained their decision to withdraw by, among other things, the WHO’s ineffective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in Wuhan, China, the lack of necessary reforms, and, in the US’s view, the organisation’s dependence on the political influence of individual member states.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring his intention to leave the WHO on January 20, 2025, the first day after returning to the White House.

As Reuters and Bloomberg note, the final completion of the exit after a year is due to the requirements of US law, which requires a mandatory 12-month notice period, as well as the repayment of all financial obligations to the organization.

At the same time, the United States refused to make payments to the WHO. A joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the State Department emphasized that the country had not funded the organization’s programs or made contributions over the past year. A State Department spokesperson stated that “the American people have already paid more than enough.”

According to Reuters, the United States was the WHO’s largest donor, providing approximately 18% of its total budget. Following Washington’s withdrawal, the organization plans to cut approximately a quarter of its staff by mid-2026.