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The World Health Organisation is preparing to launch an appeal for more than $US1 billion [$1.5 billion] to fund operations against the coronavirus pandemic.
Key Points:
- The World Health Organisation is seeking more funds in the battle against coronavirus
- The Organisation will release a plan in coming days
- The appeal comes in the same week that US President Donald Trump accused the WHO of a bias towards China
Now 100 days since the WHO was alerted to the first case of COVID-19, and after more than $US800 million [$1.2 billion] having already been pledged or received, the organisation says it will release a revised strategy plan and new funding appeal.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus believes the pandemic is much more than a health crisis, requiring a whole-of government & society response.
"For the past 100 days, our unwavering commitment has been to serve all people of the world with equity, objectivity and neutrality. That will continue to be our sole focus in the days, weeks and months ahead," Dr Tedros said.
The appeal and strategy plan will commence in coming days.
The UN agency needs more resources than ever as it leads the global response against the disease that has infected 1.5 million people and killed more than 89,000.
"It will be well over $US1 billion, maybe several billion," an envoy told Reuters.
The new appeal follows an earlier three-month appeal for $US675 million [$1 billion] through April, mostly for agencies operating on the ground rather than the WHO itself.
It also comes against a backdrop of controversy after US President Donald Trump criticised the organisation over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and suggested his administration might re-evaluate US funding.
Mr Trump accused WHO of being "China-centric" and criticised its alleged missteps.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later said Washington was re-evaluating US funding to the body.
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres responded to Mr Trump's threat to withhold funding, by saying the WHO is "absolutely critical" to the war against COVID-19.
"Now is the time for unity, for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its shattering consequences," Mr Guterres said.
What the experts are saying about coronavirus:
The United States is the biggest overall donor, contributing more than $US400 million [$600 million] in 2019 to the UN agency, roughly 15 pe cent of its budget, in comparison, China's contribution was about $US44 million [$70 million].
China, however has contributed $US20 million [$31 million] to the WHO's coronavirus appeal so far, exceeding the $US14.6 million [$23 million] from the United States.
Reuters
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Topics: covid-19, infectious-diseases-other, respiratory-diseases, switzerland
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