WHO Appeals for $1.5 Billion for Emergencies Amid Uncertainty Over US Funding
WHO Appeals for $1.5 Billion for Emergencies Amid Uncertainty Over US Funding
The World Health Organization initiated its yearly funding appeal to address health emergencies on Thursday, just before Donald Trump’s inauguration as president of the United States, which raises concerns about the agency’s financial future.
The WHO requests $1.5 billion to assist over 300 million individuals residing in 42 emergency zones, from Gaza to Afghanistan.
“Without sufficient and sustainable financial support, we are confronted with the daunting challenge of determining who gets care and who does not,” stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, lamenting the widening disparity between needs and available funding.
However, Trump’s upcoming second term next week could jeopardize that funding. During his initial term in office, he sought to reduce financial support for the WHO.
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He announced the U.S. departure from the organization, criticizing it for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its perceived ties to China. Sources associated with the transition team have suggested he may pursue similar actions again in his second term.
When Reuters asked Reuters at the end of last month if the U.S. would exit the WHO, a source familiar with the transition discussions remarked, “The same WHO that we left during the previous administration? It seems that we wouldn’t be too concerned with their opinions.”
This week, documents made public by the WHO before its executive board meeting in early February highlighted the dangers of losing any significant donors.
The organization is partially supported by mandatory fees from its member states, voluntary contributions, and an investment round. According to the WHO document, just five contributors, predominantly the United States, account for a significant portion of its voluntary funding—up to two-thirds of the budget for specific programs.
The document states, “The withdrawal of any of these primary donors would create an immediate and considerable funding shortfall that would not be easily mitigated.” In response to inquiries regarding the partnership’s future, a WHO spokesperson mentioned that the new U.S. administration has yet to be inaugurated and needs time to adjust.
“The WHO values its relationship with the U.S. immensely and is dedicated to preserving and enhancing it,” she stated. “The WHO will strive to work collaboratively with the forthcoming U.S. administration.”
Public health experts in the U.S. and internationally expressed that while the WHO hopes for a positive outcome, preparations for unfavorable scenarios are essential.
“For those of us… advocating for the WHO in discussions with influential individuals, they are not making my efforts easier or providing us with any helpful points.
We want them to acknowledge the issue and commit to improvement,” said Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health and former COVID-19 White House coordinator.
Source: Reuters
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