A grim picture is emerging of people running out of food, countries running out of medicine and hospitals closing as a result of the shock slashing of global health budgets by the United States, according to multiple World Health Organization (WHO) staff addressing a media briefing on Monday.

Meanwhile, the  WHO is mulling “terrible choices” as it tries to trim 25% of its budget in the wake of the US withdrawal from the body.

“That will result in a 25% contraction of the emergencies programme,” said Ryan.