Donald Trump's decision to cut funding for the World Health Organization is receiving criticism from around the world. According to NBC News, the president made the controversial decision Tuesday, saying WHO has been covering up for China's mistakes during the coronavirus crisis.

“So much death has been caused by their mistakes,” Trump told reporters, according to The New York Times. 


World organizations and leaders have been expressing their frustration since the president made the decision to stop the funding.

"Now is a time for unity in the global battle to push the COVID-19 pandemic into reverse, not a time to cut the resources of the World Health Organization, which is spearheading and coordinating the global body's efforts," United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement.

China Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said: "The World Health Organization has played an irreplaceable role in global public health crisis."

"The decision of the U.S. will undercut the ability of the WHO and damage the global cooperation of fighting the epidemic," Lijian said at a news briefing.

Some leaders also expressed their concerns on social media.

"Deeply regret US decision to suspend funding to @WHO," European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted. "There is no reason justifying this move at a moment when their efforts are needed more than ever to help contain and mitigate the #coronavirus pandemic. Only by joining forces we can overcome this crisis that knows no borders."

"Apportioning blame doesn't help. The virus knows no borders," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted. "We have to work closely together against COVID19. One of the best investments is to strengthen the UN, especially the under-funded WHO, for example for developing and distributing tests and vaccines."

According to The Times, 2 million cases of the coronavirus have been reported worldwide, including 125,000 deaths. In the United States, more than 600,000 cases and 25,000 deaths have been reported. 

While he continues to criticize WHO, Trump said he doesn’t "take responsibility at all.”

The WHO has "failed in its basic duty and it must be held accountable," the president said. He added that the organization is responsible for spreading China's disinformation about the virus.  

The biennial budget for the WHO, which comes from member countries around the world, is about $6 billion, The Times reported. The U.S. contributed $553 million to the organization last year, according to the newspaper. 

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Trump’s decision to stop the funding is "a very selfish approach."

"We urge the United States to abandon further attacks on the WHO and pursue a responsible line," he said.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chairman of the African Union Commission, said Trump's decision is "deeply regrettable."

Microsoft founder Bill Gates wrote on Twitter that the decision is "as dangerous as it sounds."

"Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them," Gates tweeted. "The world needs @WHO now more than ever."

American Medical Association President Dr. Patrice Harris said Trump's decision is "a dangerous step in the wrong direction that will not make defeating COVID-19 easier."

Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious diseases expert, said: "The move sends the wrong message during the middle of a pandemic."

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert, said: "This virus doesn't need passports."

"In a few short months it has traveled to all of the continents of the world except Antarctica," Schaffner said. "If there were ever an event that showed us how we need to work tougher as a global community, this is it." 

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