The US President declared the nation would not fund the WHO, questioning its advice about COVID-19 and its origins.

Donald Trump accused the WHO of spreading “disinformation” and said his administration would not keep funding it until his concerns were addressed.

“With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have deep concerns whether America’s generosity has been put to the best use possible,” he said.

He said the “mismanagement” of the WHO would be investigated by his administration.

Funding will freeze for as long as it takes

The halt to funding will continue until a review into the WHO’s performance is completed, which is expected to last between 60 and 90 days.

“I am instructing my administration to halt funding of the World Health Organisation while a review is conducted into the WHO’s role in mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus,” he said.

“Everybody knows what’s going on there.”

The US contribution to the WHO

Trump said the US was the “leading sponsor” of the WHO.

“American taxpayers pay between $400 million and $500 million per to the WHO and in contrast the Chinese Government that contributed $40 million,” he said.

“As the organisation’s leading sponsor the United States has a duty to insist on full accountability.”

UN says now is not the time for disunity

Trump’s move garnered criticism from across the world, with peak humanitarian organisations pleading for unity to prevail during the pandemic.

In a statement, the United Nations said “now is not the time to reduce the resources for the operations of the WHO”.

“Now is the time for unity and for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its shattering consequences,” the statement read.

Australia disagrees with the WHO, but will support it

The Australian Government said it will not change its level of support for the World Health Organisation during the pandemic, but did not mince words when it came to the organisation’s support for wet markets.

The Treasurer yesterday slammed the WHO for supporting the re-opening of the very places where the virus originated.

“It’s unbelievable, it’s extraordinary, that the World Health Organisation sees it fit for these wet markets to continue in China,” Josh Frydenberg said.

“They’ve been the source of outbreaks that have killed people around the world.”

Scott Morrison said Australia would continue to disagree with the WHO on wet markets, but would continue support the organisation.

“We’re not going to throw the baby out with the bathwater here, but they’re also not immune from criticism and immune from doing things better,” he said.

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