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New WHO foundation a 'historic step' to broaden the agency’s donor base: COVID-19 briefing
May 28, 2020
The World Health Organization held a media briefing on 27 May to update the public on the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. A new WHO Foundation will allow the organization to take donations from the general public, a source it hasn't typically tapped.
World Health Organization officials today announced the launch of the WHO Foundation, a legally separate body that will help expand the agency’s donor base and allow it to take donations from the general public.
The foundation will accept funding from non-traditional sources, including individual major donors, corporate partners and the general public. Until now the WHO has been one of the few international organizations which has not traditionally received donations from the general public.
"This is a historic step," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
The group’s funding has gained unprecedented scrutiny in recent weeks after US President Trump has paused funding to the WHO.
While the group has a relatively modest budget for its scope ($ 2.3 billion , similar to a mid-sized hospital in the developed world, as explained last week ), flexible funding sources have been needed for some time, said the Director-General.
The agency's funding comprises contributions from member states, which are flexible, and voluntary contributions earmarked for fixed purposes. Whereas 40 years ago, 80% of the funding was flexible and could be used at the organization’s discretion, now that share has shrunk to 20%, the Director-General said recently .
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