WHO starts planning for life after the US quits.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to meet in Geneva from May 19 to discuss how to handle crises without its main funder, the U.S.

• The annual assembly, which typically showcases the WHO’s scale, is focusing on scaling down.

• The main theme is scaling down, with the focus on providing guidelines for countries on new vaccines and treatments.

• Work on approving new medicines and responding to outbreaks will be protected, while training programs and offices in wealthier countries could be closed.

• The U.S., which provided around 18% of the WHO’s funding, will remain a WHO member until its official departure on January 21, 2026.

• The WHO is planning for life with a $600 million budget hole this year and cuts of 21% over the next two years.

• China is set to become the biggest provider of state fees, one of the WHO’s main streams of funding alongside donations.

• The changes have prompted a re-examination of the agency’s operations, including whether it should focus on details like purchasing petrol during emergencies.

• Other business at the assembly includes rubber-stamping a historic agreement on how to handle future pandemics and drumming up more cash from donors at an investment round.