The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday issued a strong warning on the consequences of the cessation of U.S. global health funding, saying it is threatening millions of lives and urging efforts to be made for more sustainable solutions.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, said at an online press briefing that if the U.S. withdraws direct funding for countries, it has a responsibility to ensure an orderly and humane way that allows those countries to find alternative sources of funding.
"If the U.S. decides not to restore direct funding to countries, we ask it to engage in dialogue with affected countries so plans can be made to transition from reliance on U.S. funding to more sustainable solutions, without disruptions that cost lives," Tedros said.
The WHO chief said U.S. cuts are threatening to reverse years of progress in the fight against diseases like malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, and measles.
It could result in more than 10 million new HIV infections and three million HIV-related deaths, Tedros said.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Jan 20 withdrawing the United States from the WHO, and suspending any funding or support to the organization.
US funding cuts threaten millions of lives: WHO
Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.
Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.
At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.
"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.
With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.
"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.
"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.
With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.
"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
