The World Health Organization (WHO) announced a significant reduction in its executive management team on May 14, 2025, as U.S. funding cuts threaten to create a budget shortfall of up to $650 million for 2026-2027. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed the new six-member team, down from 11, as the agency braces for financial challenges at its Geneva headquarters. This article explores the restructuring, Switzerland’s historical role in global health, and the potential impact on WHO’s operations.
WHO’s Restructuring Amid Budget Crisis
In an email to staff, seen by AFP, Tedros announced the new executive management team, effective June 16, 2025. The team shrinks from 11 to six members, with notable departures including emergencies director Mike Ryan of Ireland and Bruce Aylward of Canada, both key figures in the WHO’s Covid-19 response. Five existing members remain, including British researcher Jeremy Farrar, who transitions to assistant director-general for health promotion and disease prevention, while French physician Sylvie Briand takes over as chief scientist WHO.
The restructuring follows Tedros’s April 2025 warning to member states that U.S. funding cuts, initiated by President Donald Trump’s planned withdrawal of the U.S.—the WHO’s largest donor—by January 2026, have left a “salary gap” of $560 million to $650 million for 2026-2027 Reuters. The U.S. contributed $1.3 billion to the WHO’s 2022-2023 budget but has not paid its 2024 or 2025 dues, forcing the agency to prioritize cuts at its Geneva headquarters, starting with senior management.
Historical Fact: Switzerland’s Role in Global Health
Switzerland’s position as a hub for international health organizations began with the founding of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva in 1863. Initiated by Henry Dunant, the ICRC laid the groundwork for Geneva’s emergence as a center for humanitarian and health governance, culminating in the WHO’s establishment there in 1948. Switzerland’s neutrality and robust infrastructure have made it a trusted host for global health initiatives, though the WHO’s current financial woes test Geneva’s ability to sustain such leadership ICRC.
Implications for Global Health
The WHO’s budget crisis comes at a critical time, with the agency preparing for its annual World Health Assembly next week, where funding and job cuts will likely dominate discussions The Guardian. While Tedros has not specified the number of job losses, he indicated that further reductions may follow, particularly at headquarters. The loss of key figures like Mike Ryan, instrumental in global emergency responses, raises concerns about the WHO’s capacity to address ongoing challenges, such as pandemics and health inequities Devex.
Critics on X argue that the U.S. withdrawal reflects distrust in the WHO’s handling of Covid-19 and its perceived alignment with certain global powers X, while supporters stress that defunding undermines global health security X. The WHO’s reliance on voluntary contributions, which make up 80% of its budget, highlights its vulnerability to political shifts. As the agency navigates this crisis, questions remain about its ability to maintain leadership in global health without stable funding.
Author: Planet-Today.com
Via AFP
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