Funding the World Health Organization is critical to children’s futures.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a cornerstone of global health. Established in 1948, WHO’s primary objective is:
"the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health".
This mandate underscores the WHO’s pivotal role in:
- coordinating international health activities
- shaping health research agendas
- setting norms and standards
- articulating evidence-based policy options
- providing technical support in strengthening health services
- preventing and responding to emergencies
- monitoring health trends.
The triple billion targets
WHO’s ‘triple billion targets’ are:
- 1 billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage
- 1 billion more people better protected from health emergencies
- 1 billion more people enjoying better health and well-being.
To be able to meet those targets, set in 2019, the WHO has become more agile, responsive, and impactful through a series of far-reaching reforms.
A more efficient WHO
To enhance its efficiency, over the last five years the WHO has:
- focused its efforts on the three triple billion targets and aligned its processes with them.
- improved coordination between headquarters, regional offices and country offices by adopting a new operating model to help eliminate duplication and fragmentation.
- increased its accountability and transparency through measurable health outcomes to ensure resources are allocated effectively.
- become more responsive to the needs of member states in its technical work through greater emphasis on country-level impact.
- enhanced its influence on global health governance through integrating with broader UN reforms.
‘GPW14’: the WHO’s General Programme of Work
The 14th General Programme of Work (GPW14) sets out the WHO’s vision and priorities for the next four years, 2025–28.
GPW14 aims to promote, provide and protect health and well-being for all people, everywhere. It serves as a roadmap for the WHO’s efforts to achieve key health targets, including those outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.
The GPW14 focuses on six strategic priorities:
- achieve transformative action on climate change and health
- address health determinants and the root causes of ill health in key policies across sectors
- advance the primary health care approach and essential health system capacities for universal health coverage
- improve health service coverage and financial protection to address inequity and gender inequalities
- ensure all countries are prepared to prevent and mitigate health risks
- rapidly detect and sustain an effective response to all health emergencies
How the WHO is funded
The WHO’s funding primarily comes from two main sources:
- assessed contributions from member states
- voluntary contributions from member states and other partners.
Assessed contributions are calculated based on the member state's wealth and population, providing a steady financial base.
Voluntary contributions, on the other hand, come from various entities including governments, intergovernmental organisations, philanthropic foundations and private sector entities. Most of these contributions are often earmarked for specific projects or initiatives, allowing the WHO to address a wide range of health issues globally.
The Need for Flexible Funding
Flexible funding is crucial for the WHO’s operations. Unlike earmarked funds, which and are designated for specific programmes or activities and make up 70% of the WHO’s revenue, flexible funds can be allocated according to emerging needs and priorities.
This flexibility allows the WHO to respond swiftly to health emergencies, allocate resources where they are most needed, and ensure continuity of essential health services.
Flexible funding enhances the WHO’s ability to implement its global health strategies effectively, addressing both immediate and long-term health challenges. It also reduces the administrative burden associated with managing multiple restricted funds, enabling WHO to operate more efficiently and focus on delivering impactful health interventions.
The WHO’S First Investment Round
The investment round aims to secure more predictable and sustainable funding for the WHO’s core activities. This helps maintain a stable workforce and ensures that essential health programmes and initiatives can be planned and executed effectively without the uncertainty of fluctuating funds.
The total base budget for the WHO’s GPW14 is US$11.1 billion over four years. But this is not overreach.
For example, the WHO's $500 million ask of the UK Government for GPW14 is around £393 million. This is a 16% increase in nominal terms, but just a 1% increase in real terms (inflation adjusted), compared with the UK's £340 million commitment in 2020 for GPW13.
Projected assessed contributions will cover US$4 billion, leaving a funding gap of US$7.1 billion. The WHO would prefer for this gap to be filled through voluntary contributions that are:
- flexible – allowing the WHO to allocate resources strategically
- predictable – ensuring upfront resources for effective planning and fund allocation
- resilient – broadening the donor base to avoid reliance on a few donors.
Why Governments Should Prioritise the WHO
Governments have a crucial role in supporting the WHO. Investment in the WHO is an investment in global health security and stability.
The WHO’s work in disease surveillance, emergency response and health system strengthening directly benefits countries by preventing and mitigating health crises. Moreover, WHO provides a platform for countries to collaborate and share best practices, fostering a collective approach to health challenges.
The expertise and guidance provided by the WHO are invaluable for building equitable national health systems resulting in stronger economies, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
And by investing in WHO, governments ensure that they have access to the latest research, technical assistance, and policy recommendations, which are essential for effective health governance.
The WHO’s role in global health is indispensable. Its comprehensive mandate supports countries in achieving better health outcomes. Its distinction from organisations like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund, the Global Financing Facility, and the World Bank’s International Development Association underscores its unique contribution to the global health landscape. Flexible funding remains a key component in ensuring WHO’s agility and effectiveness in promoting global health.
WHO is the central pillar that upholds global health and, if governments do not step up to provide flexible funding now, the world will notice the impact. But if we step up now, and invest in WHO’s new strategy, it means 40m lives saved and a world that is safer, healthier and more resilient.
photo: Friends at a safe space for children supported by Save the Children in Puntland, Somalia (Mustafa Saeed / Save the Children)
