World Vision statement on U.S. leaving the World Health Organization

Highlights

  • World Vision calls on the U.S. Government to rejoin the World Health Organization (WHO).

May 29, 2020 (Washington, D.C.) ––World Vision calls on the U.S. Government to rejoin the World Health Organization (WHO). COVID-19 is a global pandemic that requires a global response of all partners working together during this unprecedented time, including the leadership of the WHO.  The WHO plays a critical role in providing surveillance and preparation of emerging disease outbreaks around the world. A halt in funding to WHO could put the U.S. at risk of a coronavirus resurgence or other health crises in the future.­­­

World Vision has been responding to COVID-19 since early cases of the virus, preparing communities in the U.S. and abroad. WHO is a critical partner, providing surveillance capacity, testing supplies, training for health workers, and supply of personal protection equipment. Any cuts to WHO funding could compromise the ability to fight the spread of this deadly virus globally, especially in the world’s poorest countries where healthcare resources are scarce.

As a Christian humanitarian organization motivated by our faith to help the most vulnerable around the world, World Vision is concerned with how a halt in funds to the WHO could impact the children we serve. The WHO’s leadership in global health goes beyond pandemics and funding cuts could stop progress being made to address diseases like polio, malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis – diseases that kill millions of children every year. Global Polio Eradication Initiative is just one example of how the WHO provides strategic guidance to partners, like World Vision, who are focused on eliminating polio. Without the WHO’s expertise and technical leadership, we are at great risk of losing critical ground in eradicating diseases like polio and making the U.S. government’s own programs less effective.

The United States has been a leader in supporting WHO and its critical mission. That support has never been more important than it is now and we urge the U.S. government to continue its leadership in fighting this global pandemic and other life-threatening diseases.

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit /about-us/media-center or follow us on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA.