WHO Contingency Fund for Emergency

WHO Contingency Fund for Emergency

Subject: IR

Section: International organization

Context: The World Health Organization has called for sustained and safe access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance even as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.

Further, $3.5 million from WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) has been provided to purchase and deliver urgent medical supplies.

What?

The CFE was established in 2015 by a resolution of the World Health Assembly, the decision making body of WHO. It was created as an internal financing mechanism to save time, resources and lives by enabling WHO to respond rapidly to disease outbreaks and health emergencies, often in 24 hours or less.

The CFE has helped transform WHO into a first responder in health crises, enabling it to fulfill its vision to protect people in emergencies and keep the world safe. The CFE relies entirely on the generous support of WHO Member State governments and other contributors who recognize WHO’s critical role in crisis response and understand that, in an emergency, every hour counts.

Mechanism :

The CFE operates within the WHO Emergency Response Framework, which guides the Organization’s response to health emergencies.

• When an event such as an outbreak is confirmed and presents a serious threat, the CFE can allocate US$ 50 000 immediately to finance a risk assessment. 
• If an event requires a higher level of operational response, the event undergoes grading, an internal activation procedure that triggers WHO emergency procedures and activities for the management of the response.
• For graded events, whether new or an escalation of an existing emergency, there is no limit to the amount that can be requested from the CFE.
• Up to US$ 500 000 can be fast-tracked in as little as 24 hours, with higher amounts requiring approval of the Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme.
• For graded events, WHO’s Incident Management System (IMS) and emergency standard operating procedures are activated. The IMS guides WHO’s operational response, identifying critical roles and responsibilities, including financial management with highest level of financial monitoring and accountability from all three levels of the Organization.

CFE funds are typically used within the first three months of a response and may be extended if needs persist. Allocations from the CFE should be reimbursed to the extent possible. All unspent funds are returned to the CFE.