Geneva, 21 June - Representatives of WHO and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) focused their annual financial and management review meeting on strengthening their 18-year partnership to prevent and respond to humanitarian crises.Both agencies provided updates: WHO on its emergency operations and the WHO Global Health Appeal, and OCHA on its funding mechanisms for emergencies and strategic priorities. Discussions also touched on the urgency of early data sharing in disease outbreaks and the role of innovation in emergency prevention and response – both examples of joint priorities and areas of collaboration moving forward.“OCHA and WHO share a responsibility to deliver to those in need, wherever and whenever emergencies or disasters occur,” said Graham McNeill of WHO’s Department of Strategic Engagement, who participated in the 21 June meeting.Alice Armanni Sequi, Chief of OCHA’s Pooled Fund Management Branch, said OCHA and WHO must work together innovatively “to get the most value out of our resources for the people we serve. It is also important to articulate our strategic impact in funding proposals, and demonstrate how funds are being catalytic in humanitarian operations” she added.WHO staff thanked OCHA for the longstanding partnership and recognized the contributions received by WHO through the different mechanisms that enable the agencies’ lifesaving work.OCHA contributed US$ 201 million to WHO in 2020-21, making it WHO’s third largest donor for outbreak, crisis and response. OCHA provides funds for WHO’s work through two pooled funding mechanisms: the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and Country-Based Pool Funds (CBPFs). In 2022, WHO received US$64 million from CERF and US$ 43 million from CBPFs.Recent examples where CERF and CBPFs have supported WHO’s health emergencies and humanitarian response are: armed conflicts in Ukraine, Northern Ethiopia and South Sudan; the aftermath of Syria’s massive earthquake and Vanuatu’s cyclones; cholera outbreaks in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe; drought and hunger in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel region, Kenya and Afghanistan; and outbreaks of Ebola, cholera, COVID-19 and Dengue fever around the globe.CERF finances rapid response to humanitarian operations and neglected crises, while CBPFs, now operating in 19 countries, support local humanitarian efforts and complement other such funding. These ways of funding enable WHO to immediately respond to disease outbreaks, conflicts, natural disasters and protracted humanitarian crises. The funds fill the gap when no other financing exists or is not immediately available.
WHO and OCHA Strengthen Partnership for Humanitarian Response
On June 21, representatives from WHO and OCHA held their annual consultation to enhance their partnership in responding to humanitarian crises, discussing funding mechanisms and the importance of early data sharing. This collaboration is crucial for effective emergency response globally, including in regions affected by crises like Iran. The meeting underscored the need for innovative approaches to maximize resources for humanitarian efforts.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
On June 21, WHO and OCHA held a meeting to strengthen their partnership in humanitarian response, focusing on funding mechanisms and the importance of data sharing during emergencies. They discussed innovative approaches to enhance their collaborative efforts.
- OCHA contributed US$ 201 million to WHO in 2020-21, making it a significant donor for health emergencies.
- WHO received funding from OCHA for various crises, including conflicts in Ukraine and Ethiopia, and health emergencies like cholera outbreaks.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
WHO and OCHA have been working together for nearly two decades to improve responses to humanitarian crises, focusing on health emergencies and resource allocation.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 100%