Trump - withdraw WHO funds

A self-righteous President? 

Trump has always been a trigger-happy president since day one. Most of us just roll our eyes when he talk or jump on a decision without much thought. In a nutshell, he has done many things on a fly, but this time, he has crossed the line. 

Georgetown University global health law Professor Lawrence Gostin said: “People will die because of Trump’a disasterous decision to withdraw WHO funding.”

Public health experts echoed similar sentiments that “withdrawing funding in the middle of a pandemic could cost lives.”

But, how much are we talking about anyway?

Well, America is the single largest donor and main bankroller. “It contributed US$893 million (S$1.27 billion), or about 15 per cent, to the global health agency’s current two-year budget.”

Mind you, the funds are always well spent on polio eradication programmes worldwide, “increasing access to essential health services, and fighting vaccine-preventable diseases.” At this time, the money would also be used to focus on finding a vaccine for the dreaded covid-19. 

But why is Trump doing this, of all time, during this severely difficult time? 

Well, it is about finger pointing, or the pot calling the kettle black. He accused the WHO of “severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus.” He said: “The WHO pushed China’s misinformation about the virus, saying it was not communicable and there was no need for travel bans.”

But, WHO clarified that travel restrictions would hurt the global economy, “although nations were still free to impose them, which many did.”

In any event, here’s what UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres has to say: -

“As it is not that time (to look back and assess how all those involved reacted to the crisis), it is also not the time to reduce the resources for the operations of the World Health Organisation or any other humanitarian organisation in the fight against the virus. As I have said before, now is the time to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its shattering consequences.”

Lesson? One, and it is about a self-righteous leader; one who cannot accept, and learn from, mistakes. 

Not once in his 3.5-year term did Trump admit to making a mistake. He even said he doesn’t see a need to ask for forgiveness from God. He is practically beyond reproach, and suspending funds to WHO is not only a cowardice act, it is also an extremely selfish act. 

Let it also be known that the second highest contributor to the WHO is Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

While US gave $893m, the Gates Foundation gave $530.96. And Bill Gates said: “Halting funding for the World Health Organisation during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds. Their work is slowing the spread of Covid-19 and if that work is stopped, no other organisation can replace them. The world needs @WHO now more than ever.”

It is no doubt a unilateral act to suspend funds and Trump is inching ever closer to violating the US spending laws. But the real reason has always been his fragile, childlike ego. Instead of taking personal responsibility and rallying the country to work together as one with other countries, he divides it even further or deeper by deflecting all blame for his own mishandling of the pandemic. 

The reality is, early warning in Jan 2020 by his own intelligent agencies had already been raised, yet, he still boasted that by summertime the harmless covid will all go away like a miracle. He was even loudly supported by his favourite sycophantic news network FOX and Friends. 

So, now the president is desperate to drown all that wantonly irresponsible arrogance by turning the self-righteous turret at WHO. Sadly, a leader like that feeds wholly on approval and praises and he is in his own “lockdown” (or alternate reality) with supposedly intelligent advisors who have failed in their most basic and immediate job to provide sensible, wise and courageous contrarian advice. 

Alas, in a crisis, you see the best and worst of humanity. You see people fighting for rice and toilet paper and you also see many donating their solidarity payouts to those who need it much more. 

You see bosses firing employees as a convenient route and you also see bosses keeping them, providing a roof over the head, and assuring them that they will beat this thing together. 

Trust me, the world doesn’t need any more ideological divide. In a crisis, whatever political views you hold about the most ideal way to manage the world really doesn’t matter even a tad bit.

If covid-19 came with a message in the bottle amidst the turbulent tides, it would have to be this: “People are dying, losing their livelihood, and crying for hope, and the last thing you want to fight over is this, “I am more right than you.”” 

Honestly, instead of burying our dead, let’s bury our pride. 

On this point, DPM Heng said this about Singaporeans donating their Solidarity payouts: “I am very heartened that in difficult times like this, so many of you are thinking of others.”

Let me just put it out there that Trump is a negative example for me. I use him to tell my children how not to act or what not to say. 

It’s tragically ironic, especially during such times, that a leader of the most powerful nation in the world does not inspire hope, sound leadership, compassion, and most of all, common sense. At such times, he is still pointing fingers, blaming others, instead of taking responsibility. 

Let me end with another President from the other side of the globe. In May 2019, during a dialogue on Asian Civilizations in Beijing, President Xi said: -

“Civilizations don’t have to clash with each other; what is needed are eyes to see the beauty in all civilizations. We should keep our own civilizations dynamic and create conditions for other civilizations to flourish. Together we can make the garden of world civilizations colourful and vibrant.”

I think he has a very good point. Don’t you?