Mike Pompeo, Secretary of the State, has advised not to cease funding to WHO for fighting coronavirus and polio in seven countries including Pakistan, according to a Bloomberg news report. Trump is facing resistance within his administration regarding the halt of funding as some officials are of the opinion that such a measure would only hinder the process of containing the virus and other important projects.
State Department officials apprised the National Security Council of the fact that WHO is pivotal to combat against COVID-19 or polio in seven countries namely Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya and Pakistan. It also raised concerns regarding the halt of US funding to WHO and that a 60 to 90-day review would be irrational.
US freezes funding to the WHO accusing it of ‘mismanagement’
Recently, US which is WHO’s biggest contributor has accused the organization of ‘mismanagement’ regarding COVID-19’s control. The US President Donald Trump alleged that WHO covered up the spread of novel coronavirus in China but did not warn the rest of countries timely. In addition to this, the US has halted funds to the organization.
Read more: China’s aid amid the pandemic: A leap towards becoming a superpower
Trump stated that the US contributes almost 400 to 500 million dollars per year to the WHO whereas China only contributes a fraction of this amount, $40 Million or even less at times. He is also of the view that despite such a meagre contribution as compared to America, China has become quite influential over the decisions of the organization especially its Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The lethal virus which has claimed more than 200,000 lives globally, emerged in the Chinese city Wuhan which was locked down in January to contain the spread of the deadly disease.
China extends support to WHO
Meanwhile, China has fully supported the World Health Organization and has announced funding of $30 million, in addition to the previous funding of $20 million to aid fight against the novel coronavirus.
China has also denied Western conjecture and surmise alleging a close association between WHO and the country. However, according to reports, the local authorities silenced the doctors who tried to raise alarm about the disease in December. The police punished a doctor namely ‘Li Wenliang’ who tried to inform about the spread of COVID-19 and later died of the same.
The US has been the worst-hit region so far, with a death toll of 46,000. Whereas, China has been able to control the pandemic with the help of draconian curfew and remarkable resistance.