Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, whose foundation could soon be the World Health Organization’s largest voluntary donor, criticized President Trump’s decision to halt funding to the group.
Trump said Tuesday that the United States will temporarily halt funding to the United Nations agency while a review of the WHO’s “role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus” is conducted.
“We have not been treated properly,” Trump said. “The WHO pushed China’s misinformation about the virus.”
Gates met the news with criticism, tweeting in the early hours of Wednesday morning, “Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis 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. The world needs @WHO now more than ever.”
Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis 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. The world needs @WHO now more than ever.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) April 15, 2020
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is second to the U.S. in voluntarily funding the WHO. The foundation’s donations account for nearly 10% of the organization’s funding, while the U.S. government contributes over 14%.
A Department of State spokesperson, however, told the Washington Post Wednesday that the U.S. has committed to provide $893 million in its current two-year funding period.
