US President Donald Trump accused the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations (UN) agency of mismanaging and covering up the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) after it emerged in China, and said it must be held accountable. In response, the UN's chief said it was "not the time" to cut funds to the WHO.
Mr Trump said he is going to halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) because it has "failed in its basic duty" in its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Further more, Mr Trump has been under fire for his own handling of the pandemic. He has sought to deflect persistent criticism that he acted too slowly to stop the virus's spread by pointing to his decision in late January to place restrictions on travel from China.
Further more, Mr Trump has been under fire for his own handling of the pandemic. He has sought to deflect persistent criticism that he acted too slowly to stop the virus's spread by pointing to his decision in late January to place restrictions on travel from China.
He has accused the WHO of having "criticised" that decision and of being biased towards China more generally.
What Is The Who - And How Is It Founded?
- Who means World Health Organization. Founded in 1948 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, it is the UN agency responsible for global public health
- Has 194 member states, and aims to "promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable"
- Involved in vaccination campaigns, health emergencies and supporting countries in primary care
- Funded by a combination of members' fees based on wealth and population and voluntary contributions
- US provided 15% of its 2018-19 budget - with more than $400m
- China gave about $86m in 2018-19; UK gives most of any country apart from the US
The WHO is yet to directly respond but UN Secretary General António Guterres said the international community should be uniting "in solidarity to stop this virus".
"It is my belief that the World Health Organization must be supported, as it is absolutely critical to the world's efforts to win the war against Covid-19," he said.
Germany's foreign minister tweeted that strengthening the "under-funded" WHO was one of the best investments that could be made at this time.
