Archive · 25 Jan 2026
WHO Disputes US Reasons for Withdrawal
The World Health Organization (WHO) is sad that the United States decided to leave the group.
The U.S. officially left on January 24, 2021.
Before this, the U.S. had said that leaving would make it harder to keep people healthy in the U.S. and around the world.
The WHO hopes that the U.S. will come back and be part of the group again in the future.
The WHO also said that the reasons the U.S. gave for leaving are not true.
The WHO believes it did a good job during the COVID-19 pandemic by sharing information quickly and recommending things like masks and vaccines.
The U.S. said the WHO did not handle the pandemic well and had too much bureaucracy.
The WHO is still working with other countries to keep people healthy.
The WHO expressed regret over the U.S. withdrawal and hopes for its return.
The U.S. officially left the WHO on January 24, 2021, citing inefficient bureaucracy and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The WHO disputes the U.S. claims, stating that the reasons for withdrawal are untrue and that it acted transparently during the pandemic.
The U.S. had previously warned that withdrawal would negatively impact public health.
The WHO highlighted America's contributions to many of its greatest achievements, including the eradication of smallpox.
- Who
- World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States
- What
- U.S. officially withdrew from the WHO, and the WHO disputed the reasons for the withdrawal
- When
- January 24, 2021
- Where
- Globally, with impact on the U.S.
- Why
- U.S. cited WHO's failures during the COVID-19 pandemic and inefficient bureaucracy; WHO denies these claims and hopes for U.S. return
WHO
United States
Reasons for Withdrawal
WHO
The WHO denies the U.S. claims of failures during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that the reasons for withdrawal are untrue and that the organization acted transparently and quickly.
United States
The U.S. cited WHO's failures during the COVID-19 pandemic, including obstructing the timely and accurate sharing of critical information, as reasons for its withdrawal.
Impact of Withdrawal
WHO
The WHO believes the U.S. withdrawal makes both the U.S. and the world less safe and hopes the U.S. will return to active participation.
United States
The U.S. believes its withdrawal is necessary due to the WHO's inefficient bureaucracy and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Organization
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Country
- United States
- Withdrawal Date
- January 24, 2021
- WHO's Hope
- U.S. returns to active participation
- U.S. Warnings
- Withdrawal would hurt public health in the U.S. and globally
- WHO's Response to COVID-19
- Actively shared information, recommended masks, vaccines, and physical distancing, but did not mandate them
- U.S. Contributions
- Significant role in WHO's achievements, including the eradication of smallpox and progress against other public health threats
Sources
World Health Organization says it regrets US decision to withdraw
Why the US left some climate-related bodies and not others
World Health Organization Chief Says Reasons U.S. Gave for Withdrawing 'Untrue'
Why US Is Walking Away From Global Climate Bodies Now
