The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an urgent appeal for $1.5 billion to address global health emergencies, raising concerns about the organization’s financial management and past performance.
At a Glance
- WHO seeks $1.5 billion for its emergency fund to tackle global health crises
- Appeal focuses on emergencies in Gaza, Syria, Sudan, and sub-Saharan Africa
- Funding aims to support 42 health emergencies worldwide by 2025
- WHO faces ongoing criticism over handling of past emergencies and scandals
- Appeal comes as President-elect Donald Trump, who previously withdrew U.S. from WHO, prepares to take office
WHO Launches Emergency Fund Appeal
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a campaign to raise $1.5 billion for its emergency fund, separate from its regular operations funding. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus launched the appeal, focusing on global health emergencies such as the situation in Afghanistan, Gaza, and the spread of diseases like cholera, malaria, and monkeypox in sub-Saharan Africa.
Given that the last emergency brought the world to its knees unnecessarily, this seems a little…sketchy. No?
The WHO anticipates addressing 42 health emergencies worldwide by 2025. This ambitious target comes as the organization faces ongoing scrutiny over its handling of past crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and allegations of sexual abuse by staff in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The appeal outlines specific funding allocations for different regions, with the Eastern Mediterranean Region receiving the largest share at $705 million. The African Region is set to receive $334 million, while the European Region will get $183 million. The Americas Region has been allocated $131 million, with the South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions receiving $49 million and $15.2 million respectively.
“Without adequate and sustainable funding we face the impossible task of deciding who will receive care and who will not,” Tedros said.
The WHO highlighted its work in the DRC but noted that the most expensive crisis is in Gaza, requesting nearly $300 million for the area. Additional funding requests include $141 million for Syria and $135 million for Sudan. The organization emphasizes the impact of climate change on health crises and the need for sustainable funding to address these challenges.
Criticisms and Challenges
The appeal also comes at a time when the WHO faces ongoing criticism for its performance in handling global health crises. The organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the sexual abuse scandal in the DRC have raised questions about its effectiveness and accountability. Despite these concerns, Tedros was re-elected as Director-General in 2022, running unopposed.
Adding to the challenges, the appeal comes as the United States prepares for President-elect Donald Trump to take office again. Trump previously withdrew the U.S. from the WHO in 2020, and his return to the presidency could potentially impact the organization’s funding and global support.
This could all get very interesting…very quickly.