Geneva – The World Health Organization said Friday it was reviewing its priorities in preparation for the withdrawal of its biggest donor, the United States, and stressed that it provides vital services that protect the country from health threats. President Trump signed an executive order Monday Directing the US to withdraw from the WHO, a body it has repeatedly criticized for its use Covid-19 pandemicA series

“This announcement has made our financial situation more acute, and we know that it has caused significant concern and uncertainty for that workforce,” said the head of the organization, seen by AFP on Friday.

He stressed that the UN health agency regrets the decision of the US leader – the agency's largest donor – and hopes that it will be reconsidered.

“We are open to engaging in a constructive dialogue to preserve and strengthen the historic bond between the United States and the United States,” he said.

WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier stressed to reporters Friday that a US withdrawal from the agency's perspective would be a mistake.

“Who protects the U.S. with a sophisticated health intelligence system that works to identify, characterize and assess threats in real time,” he said, pointing specifically to the current outbreak of bird flu (H5N1) that has infected dozens of people and claimed one U.S. life. in

“We've actually had individuals contact us already about the concern that this may now be a problem because the data is no longer generated and can't be shared,” Lindmeier said.

Tedros stressed in his letter that the UN agency must now seek to identify its “key priorities”.

“We're reviewing which activities prioritize the envelope of reduced resources,” he said.

He emphasized that recently, who had expanded its funding and will continue to rely on strong support from its member states and other sources.

But he acknowledged the need to “reduce costs and realize efficiency gains.”

Among other things, he said, the agency was “freezing conscription except in the most critical areas” and drastically cutting travel expenses.

The U.S. withdrawal will take a year to complete, with U.S. funding remaining in place during that period, according to the organization's rules.

Earlier this week on CBS Mornings Plus, CBS News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jon Lapok stated that health professionals are already worried about the consequences of the US withdrawal.

“Public health experts that I have said that we have a position of world leadership in this matter, and if there is, for example, the next epidemic will help in terms of communication Everyone around the world,” said Lapp.

Although there are other ways of communication, such as communication between medical societies and individuals, Laps said. “It's nice to have a coordinated effort.”

The U.S. House said in a statement Monday night that the U.S. is withdrawing from the organization because of the Covid-16 pandemic. I got up from WuhanChina and other global health crises, its failure to adopt immediate reforms and its inability to demonstrate independence from undue political influence by member states.