Backlash against Trump for cutting WHO ties as virus grips Latin America
Trump says the US would redirect WHO funds to other urgent global public health needs
US President Donald Trump faced a broad backlash on Saturday over his decision to sever ties with the UN’s health agency during a pandemic, as the coronavirus surged in Latin America and Europe further reopened from lockdown.
The EU called on Washington to reconsider its decision to leave the World Health Organization over its handling of the pandemic, which has devastated the global economy, infected nearly six million people and killed more than 364,000.
“The WHO needs to continue being able to lead the international response to pandemics, current and future,” the European Union said in a statement.
“Now is the time for enhanced cooperation and common solutions. Actions that weaken international results must be avoided.” Trump initially suspended funding to the WHO last month, accusing it of not doing enough to curb the
Trump initially suspended funding to the WHO last month, accusing it of not doing enough to curb the early spread of the virus and being too lenient with China, where the virus emerged late last year
early spread of the virus and being too lenient with China, where the virus emerged late last year.
On Friday he made that decision permanent in a major blow for the agency’s finances, as the US is by far its biggest contributor, pumping in 400 million last year. Trump said the US would redirect WHO funds “to other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs.”
Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn said the “disappointing” decision was a setback for global health, while Chancellor Angela Merkel declined to attend an in-person G summit that Trump had suggested he would host.
Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet medical journal, said it was “madness and terrifying both at the same time”.
“The US government has gone rogue at a time of humanitarian emergency,” he tweeted.
Trump’s announcement comes at a delicate time in the fight against the virus, which is progressing at different speeds across the globe.
There has been pressure in many countries -- including a protest attended by hundreds in Rome on Saturday -- to lift crippling restrictions despite a vaccine remaining elusive and experts warning of a possible second wave of infections.
India said Saturday it would relax the world’s biggest lockdown from early June, even while announcing another record daily rise in infections, its total climbing to 85,000.
Iran meanwhile announced Saturday that collective prayers would resume in mosques -- following the lead of Turkey the day before -- even as infections rose again in the Middle East’s hardest-hit country.