Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) have warned that the suspension of financial aid from the United States threatens the polio eradication program in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Hanan Balkhy, the WHO’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasized the vital role of U.S. financial assistance in the organization’s efforts to monitor polio and other communicable diseases during an online press conference.
He also described President Trump’s announcement of the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO as “regrettable,” stating that the country has been a major supporter of the organization’s work in the Eastern Mediterranean for decades.
He added, “U.S. financial contributions to the fight against and eradication of polio have been truly decisive. Currently, we are in the final phase of polio eradication in the last two countries in the world, Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
He reaffirmed the WHO’s commitment to protecting the world against the resurgence of the polio virus.
This comes as Donald Trump, the U.S. president, issued a 90-day halt to nearly all foreign aid last week to review whether these expenditures align with America’s prioritization policy.
On his first day in office, Trump announced that he would withdraw the United States from the WHO.
In his order, he accused the WHO of mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises, stating that the organization failed to implement necessary reforms and demonstrate its independence from inappropriate political influence by its member states.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries in the world where the polio virus is still circulating and continues to claim victims among children.
In 2024, Pakistan reported 73 cases while Afghanistan reported 25 cases of polio.
While Afghanistan has not reported any additional cases of polio so far, Pakistani officials reported the first positive case of polio in 2025 last week.
Hanan Balkhy emphasized that the organization is ready to implement reforms that the United States wishes to propose.
Balkhy added that budget cuts in 2024 had already reduced the organization’s critical health operations, stating, “We seek your support to strengthen our message – help us save lives, revitalize health systems, and restore hope to millions.”
