WASHINGTON, Sept 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US government officials said that the United States of America will continue to call for reforms to the World Health Organization (WHO) and independence from the Chinese Communist Party, but “when it is right” they may consider re-entering the structure.
In a conference call for journalists, Nerissa Cook, deputy assistant secretary of state for the affairs of international organizations, said the United States could re-consider joining WHO if reforms are completed and if there is “independence from the Communist Party of China”.
The departure of the United States from the World Health Organization was announced last July and should take place by July 6, 2021.
The head of the State Department’s Office for International Organizations said that President Donald Trump will be responsible for WHO’s re-entry decisions, although Trump has made it clear that he will not reconsider the departure next year.
Nerissa Cook said the United States would redirect $ 62 million that it was yet to pay to WHO this year for operations of the parent institution, United Nations (UN).
Nerissa Cook argued that WHO “must be independent in the processes and procedures in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic” and that the United States is “advocating for faster and better communication” among members, criticizing the “lack of responsibility and transparency ”.
According to the Deputy Under Secretary of State, the President of the United States “gave WHO the opportunity to practice reforms”, which the organization denied and which justified the decision to withdraw.
The United States is currently “trying to identify alternative partners” internationally for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment work around the world, said Alma Golden, assistant administrator for global health at the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
The USAID official added that this year, the United States will contribute “voluntarily” and on time with $ 68 million, especially for humanitarian assistance provided by WHO to Syria and Libya.
Garrett Grigsby, director of the international affairs office at the Department of Human Services and Health, said that American “individuals” who still work at WHO will return to the United States or take on other international positions, without specifying the number.
Garrett Grigsby also argued that the United States will continue to call for reforms at WHO until the exit process is completed next year, because “if the organization works better, it will be better for everyone”.
He said US is “a leader in global health and humanitarian assistance” and that it will continue to ensure that aid reaches people in need worldwide.
Donald Trump continues to blame China for the covid-19 pandemic, which has killed at least 857,824 dead and infected more than 25 million people worldwide.
The United States is the country with the most deaths (184,689) and also with the most confirmed cases of infection (more than six million). — NNN-AGENCIES