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WHO Seeks $1 Billion for 2026 Health Emergencies as Funding Shock Reshapes Agency

The agency says donor retrenchment following the U.S. withdrawal has forced a leaner, hyper‑prioritised response.

Overview

  • The appeal covers 36 crises with 14 at WHO’s highest response level, including Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • WHO says only $900 million of a $1.5 billion request arrived in 2025, contributing to service closures or cutbacks at 6,700 facilities that left 53 million people without care.
  • Director-General Tedros told the Executive Board that more than 1,000 staff have departed and that a prioritisation and realignment of work is now largely complete.
  • Member states’ higher assessed dues have mobilised about 85% of the 2026–27 core budget, though significant gaps persist for emergency operations.
  • The U.S. exit with roughly $260 million in unpaid dues and a shift to enabling 1,500 local partners for frontline work are redefining how WHO delivers assistance.