USA's exit from the WHO and freeze on USAID funds globally: its perils and possible opportunities

Two Executive Orders signed by USA's President Trump on 20 January 2025: one, USA's exit from World Health Organization (WHO) and other, a 90 days' freeze on USAID's funds and activities globally with immediate effect, have far reaching impact on global public health and development. Zero fund contribution from USA (currently, largest fund contributor to WHO), means decreased resources which would negatively impact WHO developmental initiatives globally. The impact of USAID fund freeze is yet to be ascertained. DOGE and Trump administration appear to have based their decision on their 'America First' to critically assess US aid to global communities, vis-à-vis the requirement and needs to their own people. However, the modus operandi and modalities of executing these orders overnight, without consulting or appraising the stakeholders was not the best way. It erodes the ethos of commitment to Global Health, International Health and Development. While World Leaders and Global-Public-Health-Community could consider diplomacy and advocacy channels, urging President Trump to reconsider his decisions, some immediate risk-mitigation and damage-control strategies could be put in place. This could include strengthening and expansion of geopolitical realignments, emergence of new leadership, newer models of programme implementation, technology enabled monitoring and evaluation that can reduce costs of programme implementation and management.