World Health Organization Obtains $1 Billion Funding for Upcoming Years

The World Health Organization secured $1 billion in pledges during a fundraising event in Berlin, marking a significant initiative to reform its funding model and enhance its ability to address global health emergencies.

Pledge Breakdown

• New Contributions: $700 million in new pledges from European nations and philanthropies.
• Previous Commitments: $300 million from earlier commitments by the European Union and African Union.

Importance of Sustainable Financing

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the need for sustainable financing, which allows WHO to plan effectively and respond flexibly to health crises.
• He highlighted that the funds would help improve the health of women, men, and especially children globally.

Financial Uncertainty 

• WHO has faced long-standing financial uncertainty, which has hindered its operations and ability to deliver long-term support to countries.

Future Goals 

• WHO aims to raise an additional $6.4 billion by next May to meet its total budget goal of $7.4 billion for the General Programme of Work 14 (GPW-14), which addresses global health needs from 2025 to 2028.

Investment Rounds Format

• The fundraising format encourages competition among nations to increase their financial contributions.
• Major European countries, including Spain, the UK, and France, have yet to announce their pledges.
• Additionally, 16 African governments have already committed funding to the organization’s investment round. France, Spain, the UK, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are expected to pledge or continue their contributions to WHO in the coming months.

Current Funding Landscape

• In 2022-23, WHO’s budget was only $6.7 billion, about 33 cents per person globally.
• 88% of WHO’s funding came from voluntary contributions, with a significant portion controlled by a small number of donors.

Small Nations and Philanthropies Step Up

• Smaller countries and emerging economies also participated in the funding drive, with Montenegro making its first-ever donation.
• Philanthropies, including the Wellcome Trust and Sanofi Foundation, pledged significant contributions.

Call for Flexible Funding

• WHO seeks more flexible funding to address urgent global health priorities independently.
• Investments in WHO are viewed as crucial for not only health but also for fostering equitable and stable societies.