Reducing funding of WHO is untimely, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

The coronavirus pandemic requires an unprecedented global response, and reducing the funding of the World Health Organization (WHO), is untimely, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a Russian news agency.

Guterres' remark comes at the backdrop US President Donald Trump`s decision to cut the funding to the health organisation over negligence, claiming that the UN health agency had impeded the global response to the pandemic.

"Once we have finally turned the page on COVID-19, there will be time to look back fully and understand how such a disease emerged and spread its devastation so quickly across the globe, and how all those involved reacted to the crisis. The lessons learned will be essential to address similar challenges effectively, as they may arise in the future," Guterres said.

UN chief further said that "now is not that time. Nor is it the time to reduce the resources for the operations of the WHO or any other humanitarian organization in the fight against the virus."

He described the coronavirus pandemic as "unprecedented in our lifetime" and therefore requiring an "unprecedented response."

"The World Health Organization is leading our response to the pandemic by supporting countries to prepare and to address the virus, with special attention to the most vulnerable countries," the UN chief said.

(With inputs from ANI)