US, WASHINGTON (ORDO NEWS) — While confidence in the World Health Organization (WHO), which was established in the presence of the United Nations (UN) in 1948, has been shaken by the new coronavirus (COVID-19), this agency responsible for international public health is goes through the most difficult period in its history.
The WHO, which conducts international work on the health of society, is the only international health platform where the world‘s population of about 7.7 billion can trust the health sector.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused the biggest health crisis since World War II, has made the WHO a target.
The fear of pandemic that has gripped the whole world has brought together the search for a culprit, while the eyes have turned to the WHO and China where the virus has appeared.
The WHO is accused of “concealing China’s role in pandemic, even of inciting it as a Chinese soldier (pioneer), of delaying action in declaring a state of emergency and pandemic, and even of spreading global pandemic to them.” called on countries not to close their borders with China.”
US President Donald Trump has already set the WHO as his target, in addition to China. Trump not only accused, but he also ordered the cessation of funding that his country provides for the organization.
The head of the WHO came to power four years ago with an enthusiastic celebration
The WHO was established on April 7, 1948, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization has 150 offices worldwide and about 7,000 employees.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus took office on July 1, 2017, after being elected on May 23 of the same year for a five-year term.
The UN office in Geneva was involved in enthusiastic celebrations in the election won by Ghebreyesus, who left behind his British rival, David Nabarro, by a wide margin.
Some international journalists describe the then-newly appointed director general of the WHO as “the man of Bill Gates.”
Prior to his career at the WHO, during 2005-2012 Ghebreyesus was Minister of Health of Ethiopia and then during 2012-2016 Minister of Foreign Affairs of this country.
What is the US contribution to the WHO budget?
The budget of the organization is provided by 194 WHO member states and voluntary organizations in two ways, namely “taxed contributions” and “voluntary contributions”.
Member States pay the annual WHO membership fee based on their population and economic level. These payments account for about 17 percent of the organization’s budget.
In the organization’s 2-year budget calendar, the 2020-2021 budget was set at approximately $ 4.5 billion, up about 9 percent from the previous period.
The United States finances about 14.67 percent of the WHO’s annual budget, and its annual aid is about $ 412 million.
While this annual U.S. contribution is over $ 118 million, the remaining $ 300 million is made up of annual voluntary contributions to the WHO.
The number one WHO funder could be Bill Gates
For the 2018-2019 period budget, the US, the organization’s largest funder, contributed over $ 800 million by the end of 2019. The US was followed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Britain and Germany.
While China, which is in the target of criticism with its contribution of 43 million dollars, which coincides with a contribution of 0.21 percent, is ranked 49th. Meanwhile, about $ 38 million of this amount consists of forced payments.
In the event of a ban on US financial aid, the number one WHO funder is expected to be Bill Gates.
The WHO accuses President Trump of “politicizing” the COVID-19 virus
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is an target of the US government, uses a “restrained” and “careful” language in the face of President Trump’s “serious” and “persistent” accusations.
Instead of concrete answers to the claims of the American president, the head of the WHO emphasizes that pandemics should not be politicized.
Is Trump right in his accusations?
In addition to the United States, the WHO has been targeted by many countries around the world, mainly Japan and Taiwan, which accuse it of making “late” and “contradictory” decisions regarding the crisis.
The process followed by the WHO in the outbreak of pandemic that occurred on December 1, 2019 in Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei region, has proceeded as follows:
– January 14: In a twitter post of the WHO, based on Chinese officials, it is alleged that there is no concrete evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person.
– January 20: The organization announced that the virus is more transmitted from animals to humans, adding that although it can be transmitted in a limited way from human to human in case of contact.
– January 21: The number of people who lost their lives to the virus in China increases to six. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that since the outbreak of the virus, the WHO and relevant countries have been informed about the developments.
– January 23: WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, regarding the virus which began to spread rapidly in China, claimed that it was too early to declare an “emergency situation for international opinion” and that there was no “sufficient evidence”. “for this action
– January 24: Regarding the issue after the conversation with the Chinese chief diplomat Wang Yi, Ghebreyesus, emphasizing that he congratulates the measures taken by the Chinese government, said that, “WHO is ready to carry out supplies according to the needs of China and WHO fully believes in the ability of the Chinese government to fight the epidemic ”
– January 29: Ghebreyesus immediately after his visit to China announced that 6,065 cases have been confirmed and that 132 people have lost their lives, and warned that the potential for the spread of the epidemic is very high.
– January 30: WHO regarding the COVID-19 epidemic announced the emergency situation for international public health. Regarding the decision, Ghebreyesus used the phrase “the basic reasons are not what happened in China, but those in other countries.” He defended the idea that there is no reason to restrict trade and travel to the country. Praising China, Ghebreyesus stressed that declaring a state of emergency is not a no-confidence vote against China and claimed that the country’s fight against the virus is above expectations.
– January 31: Despite declaring a global emergency, the WHO called on “not to close borders with China”. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said other states “have a good reason to keep official border crossings with China open”. He said the WHO was very open and reiterated that trade restrictions and travel to China were not recommended.
– February 3: Ghebreyesus reiterates opposition to trade and travel restrictions on China
– February 11: WHO announces that new coronavirus (2019-nCoV), shown in China, has been named “COVID-19”
– February 22: Ghebreyesus calls on the international community to provide $ 675 million in aid to a more effective fight against the COVID-19 epidemic
– February 26: Despite expressing “deep concern” over the immediate increase in COVID-19 cases in Italy, Iran and South Korea, Ghebreyesus stressed that they are against the use of the word “pandemic” for COVID-19.
– February 27: In addition to China with the emergence of COVID-19 cases and several other countries, Ghebreyesus announced that the virus has reached a “defining point”
– February 28: The WHO raised the global risk level for COVID-19 to “very high”
– March 2: Ghebreyesus stresses that COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in countries outside China has turned the world into an “unknown region”
March 6: Ghebreyesus announces total number of cases
– March 9: Ghebreyesus emphasizes that COVID-19 has spread to many countries and said that “the threat of pandemic has become very real.”
– March 11: The WHO declares the epidemic a global pandemic
– March 12: Ghebreyesus claims COVID-19 is a “controllable pandemic”
– March 13: The organization announced that Europe has already become the epicenter of the COVID-19 virus
– March 18: Ghebreyesus, said that physical measures such as the cancellation of sports activities, concerts and other large gatherings could slow the spread of COVID-19 pandemic
– March 20: Ghebreyesus announces that they have contacted several companies in China that have agreed to supply medical equipment to WHO
March 24: WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris says the new epicenter of pandemic could be the United States.
– March 27: Ghebreyesus announces that COVID-19 vaccine should be expected for at least 12 to 18 months
March 31: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says COVID-19s are facing the worst crisis since World War II.
– April 1: “The world has not faced such a pandemic before. It is an unknown and dangerous virus. I am concerned about the rapid growth of the disease and its global spread,” said Ghebreyesus.
April 8: In response to President Trump’s comments accusing the WHO of failing in the fight against COVID-19, Ghebreyesus replied: “Don’t politicize this virus. You can continue to use it politically if you want to see more bags for victims.” “. Referring to the US president, but without giving a name, Ghebreyesus stressed that there are many other issues where leaders can prove themselves instead of politicizing COVID-19.
– April 13: Regarding President Trump’s announcement that he will suspend funding that his country provides for the WHO which he accused of “pro-Chinese behavior”, Ghebreyesus stated that, “What I do know is that it should be “I hope that the funds (provided) for the WHO will continue. Our relationship (with Trump) is very good and I hope this will continue.”
– April 15: The United States is a generous friend and for a long time with the WHO, Ghebreyesus stressed, announcing that they have regretfully welcomed President Trump’s decision to cut off funding that his country provides for the WHO.
– April 17: WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris, avoiding responding to President Trump’s allegations against the organization, said that “the United States has always been a fantastic partner for us.”
When the chronological statements are noticed, it is understood that the criticism and accusations against the WHO have a basis.
International pandemic experts defend their idea that “the world would not be under the clutches of a global pandemic if the WHO had asked China to close its borders to the outside world since January 30 when the” emergency situation “was declared. global “for COVID-19.
In order for the organization to regain the trust of the whole world, it is inevitable that this international agency must “prove its adulthood (sufficient level)” in the post-pandemic period, accelerate its work on the vaccine and enter a new reform process when the world normalizes.
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