Statement from the Center for Reproductive Rights on the Trump Administration’s suspension of funding of the World Health Organization

(Geneva-New York)–The following is the statement of Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights regarding the Trump Administration’s suspension of funding of the World Health Organization (WHO).

“It is irresponsible and unjust for President Trump to direct the United States to halt funding to the WHO during this extraordinary crisis.  Countries, health professionals and humanitarian relief organizations across the globe rely on WHO guidance and support to effectively respond to the pandemic.  Suspension of funding will limit this ability, including the ability to effectively provide time-sensitive, essential health care, grounded in evidence, equity and human rights.

Delay or denial of time-sensitive, essential health care, exacerbates the dire situation we are facing around the globe, but especially for marginalized populations, including women and girls, threatening their rights to life, health and gender equality in fundamental ways. 

The WHO has provided important guidance for reproductive healthcare, which is central to women’s health and can itself be life-saving. WHO guidance during this pandemic has included information on caring for pregnant women, infants and mothers with COVID-19 as well as information on intrapartum care (IPC) and breastfeeding, and on contraception and family planning during the Covid-19 response.

“We call on President Trump to continue United States funding to the WHO and support its urgent global, evidence-based, public health response.

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