The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday called for $1 billion to respond to health emergencies in 36 of the world’s most critical crisis zones, including Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The UN health agency estimates that 239 million people will require urgent humanitarian assistance this year, with the requested funds aimed at keeping essential health services operational.
Chikwe Ihekweazu, WHO’s health emergencies chief, said in Geneva, “A quarter of a billion people are living through crises that strip away basic protections: safety, shelter, and access to healthcare. Health needs are surging due to injuries, disease outbreaks, malnutrition, and untreated chronic conditions, yet access to care is shrinking.”
The $1 billion appeal is lower than in previous years, reflecting a global funding shortfall. Washington, historically WHO’s largest donor, has cut foreign aid spending, and last year, while WHO requested $1.5 billion, only $900 million was provided.
Ihekweazu explained that the agency had adjusted its appeal to reflect the current global funding realities and said WHO is prioritizing the highest-impact services while scaling back lower-impact activities to maximize lives saved.
Last year, funding cuts forced 6,700 health facilities in 22 humanitarian settings to either close or reduce services, leaving 53 million people without healthcare. “Families on the edge face impossible choices, like deciding between buying food or medicine,” he said, urging countries and individuals to contribute to “a healthier, safer world.”
