The World Health Organization (WHO) has newly instituted a foundation aimed at capitalizing on fresh sources of funding, including philanthropic contributions from the public. This initiative has arisen as a response to the growing demands for global public health needs as exacerbated by Covid-19.
Structure and Status of the New Foundation
Designed to be legally independent from the WHO, the new foundation is stationed in Geneva, Switzerland, same as the WHO headquarters. The purpose behind establishing this foundation is to support numerous global public health requirements, ranging from prevention and mental health to non-communicable diseases, and from emergency preparedness to outbreak response and health system strengthening.
Immediate Focus and Long-term Goals
In the light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the foundation’s immediate attention is towards emergencies and pandemic response. However, in the larger perspective, the goal of the WHO Foundation is to broaden the donor base of WHO and introduce more sustainable and predictable funding mechanisms. The foundation is soon to provide funds to WHO along with its trusted implementing partners in order to achieve the “triple billion” goals set by WHO.
These encompass protecting 1 billion people from health emergencies, extending universal health coverage to 1 billion people, and assuring healthy lives and wellbeing to 1 billion people by 2023.
Potential of The New Initiative
The success of the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund, which managed to raise roughly 214 million USD from over 400,000 entities in a short span of two and a half months, mirrors the potential the WHO Foundation holds in leading financial resources forward.
Background: WHO’s Funding Mechanism
Previously, WHO had limited control over how its funds were consumed. A need for a robust and reliable funding mechanism was imperative to the organization. As per records, less than 20% of WHO’s budget constituted flexible assessed contributions from Member States. An alarming majority, over 80%, was formed by voluntary contributions often earmarked for specific programs, which restricted WHO’s discretion over its funds spending.
There existed four types of contributions forming WHO’s funding: Assessed Contributions, Specified Voluntary Contributions, Core Voluntary Contributions, and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Contributions. Recently, however, the United States paused its contributions to WHO, pending a review of its response to the initial Covid-19 outbreak.
Looking Ahead
Over the past few decades, WHO has played a leading role in handling numerous pandemics and outbreaks, including HIV/AIDS, Zika, Ebola, and now the Coronavirus pandemic. A boost in funding can aid the agency in investing more effectively in key areas such as diet, air quality, water and sanitation, investment in clean energy, and promoting healthy, sustainable food systems.
In this regard, the establishment of this new funding mechanism brings forth the promise of constructing a healthier world post-pandemic. A world where health, not just diseases, sits at the heart of focus.