Governments from across the WHO European Region have donated and pledged over US$ 749 million (EUR 630.7 million) to help WHO fund the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic around the world through the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP).
More than 50% of global funds pledged and received to date have come from governments within the WHO European Region as well as from the European Union (EU).
Since its launch, the SPRP has been continually updated, taking into account the development of the pandemic. Some of the funds donated and pledged are earmarked for improving the resilience of countries’ health systems, giving special attention to and assess the burden on local health systems in low-capacity and humanitarian settings.
Over US$ 609 million (€512.8 million) is from governments of EU Member States, including more than US$ 395 million (€294.7 million) from Germany alone. As part of this sum, the EU itself has pledged and donated nearly US$ 148 million (€124.6 million) to WHO, including more than €30 million to help its Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) respond to and recover from the impact of COVID-19 and strengthen their capacity to respond to public health emergencies.
Nearly US$ 140 million (€117.9 million) comes from WHO European Members states that are not EU members, including Azerbaijan, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
WHO/Europe outlines its response strategy as part of WHO’s global COVID-19 strategy in a new publication “COVID-19: operationalization of the global response strategy in the WHO European Region”. WHO provides substantial technical and operational support to all countries, working with governments and partners to save lives, maintain and strengthen health systems, and minimize the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic.
Impact on the ground
Through the EU-funded Solidarity for Health initiative, WHO has delivered and helped distribute essential personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep health workers and patients safe in the 6 Eastern Partnership countries. Approximately 10 million units of critical items have been delivered so far, with an estimated 2.5 million more to come. The funds have also helped train health workers and responders, improving virus tracking and reporting, communicating risks, engaging communities, and guiding the public.
WHO experts have participated in over 100 country missions since February to join with health authorities on the ground in all core areas of the response.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.