President Donald Trump has made real his decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Trump has formally notified the United Nations (UN) and the U.S. Congress that America will exit.
Stéphane Dujarric, UN spokesman, told reporters in New York on Tuesday that the secretariat had received the withdrawal letter.
The conditions include a one-year notice and fulfillment of full financial obligations, the official added.
Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, condemned Trump’s action.
Biden stated that he would reverse the decision on his first day in office if elected.
He said Americans are safer “when America is engaged in strengthening global health. On my first day as president, I will rejoin the WHO and restore our leadership on the world stage”.
Similarly, House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi decried the move.
Pelosi called Trump’s withdrawal “an act of true senselessness. With millions of lives at risk, the president is crippling the international effort to defeat the virus”.
Trump had accused the WHO of shielding China amid the coronavirus pandemic.
He also insists that China is covering up the COVID-19 outbreak.
In April, Trump announced suspension of funding to the UN agency.
America is the largest single financial contributor to the WHO. The country gave the health body about $400 million in 2019.
