Only 8% of the World Health Organization’s funding for its global COVID-19 response is flexible — down from 30% last year — while the rest has been earmarked, according to an agency official. In terms of the money received, the pandemic response also has a 70% funding shortfall.
“This underfunding and earmarking of funds risks paralyzing WHO’s ability to provide rapid and flexible support to countries and is already having consequences for current operations,” said Mike Ryan, executive director at the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, during the 74th World Health Assembly on Tuesday.
WHO launched the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan for 2021 in February, requesting $1.96 billion. To date, the agency has only received $587 million, with another $466 million pledged from donors. Last year, WHO asked for $1.7 billion and received $1.5 billion, Ryan said.