The United States' decision to pause foreign aid contributions is severely impacting global health programs, particularly efforts to combat HIV, polio, and other infectious diseases, warned World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday.

Speaking at a virtual press conference from Geneva, Tedros urged the U.S. government to reconsider the aid suspension, at least until alternative solutions are found. He expressed concern that the ongoing freeze is significantly affecting global health initiatives.

The aid suspension, implemented by President Donald Trump last month as part of a review process, has disrupted critical programs, including the fight against HIV, mpox, avian flu, and polio. One of the most affected initiatives is the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has led to an immediate halt in HIV treatment, testing, and prevention services across 50 countries. Tedros noted that while a waiver allowed some services to resume, prevention efforts for at-risk groups remain excluded. He also warned that clinics have closed, and health workers have been placed on leave, leaving vulnerable populations without essential care.

The freeze is also hindering global efforts to eradicate polio and contain mpox outbreaks. In Myanmar, nearly 60,000 people have lost access to life-saving medical services due to the funding suspension.

Tedros further raised concerns over Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO, stating that it is harming international cooperation, particularly in disease outbreak response and influenza surveillance. The WHO has received limited information about the spread of avian influenza among dairy cattle in the U.S. and potential human cases. Maria Van Kerkhove, interim director for pandemics and epidemics at WHO, said the agency has not received influenza reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since January 24. She emphasized that the WHO continues to seek communication with U.S. health authorities but has not yet received a response.

In addition to the aid freeze, WHO itself faces financial challenges. The agency has reformed its funding model in recent years, but Tedros revealed that new proposals, such as raising a $50 billion endowment or charging for certain services, are under consideration.

Tedros concluded by making a direct appeal to Washington, urging the U.S. government to resume funding until alternative solutions can be established. The suspension of U.S. aid, one of the largest financial contributions to global health programs, has raised serious concerns about the long-term impact on disease control efforts worldwide.