The WHO has launched a $1 billion appeal to aid millions in crisis settings, addressing urgent health needs from conflicts and climate impacts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially launched its 2026 appeal, targeting nearly US$ 1 billion to ensure that millions affected by humanitarian crises and conflicts can obtain essential health care. This initiative comes as the organization continues its mission to provide health services amid increasing global challenges.
In 2025, WHO and its partners managed to support 30 million individuals, aided by funding from their annual emergency appeal. These efforts resulted in life-saving vaccinations for 5.3 million children, facilitated over 53 million health consultations, and supported more than 8,000 health facilities. Additionally, they deployed 1,370 mobile clinics to enhance access to care.
The new appeal aims to address health emergencies across 36 situations globally, including 14 Grade 3 emergencies that require the highest level of organizational response. These emergencies encompass both sudden and prolonged crises where health needs are incredibly pressing.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, emphasized the necessity of this appeal during its launch, stating, "This appeal is a call to stand with people living through conflict, displacement, and disaster—to provide them not merely with services but also the assurance that the world has not abandoned them. This initiative is not merely charity; it is a strategic investment in health and security. Access to health care restores dignity, stabilizes communities, and creates pathways to recovery."
The appeal was announced against a backdrop of increasing global challenges. Prolonged conflicts, the widening impacts of climate change, and repeated outbreaks of infectious diseases have amplified the demand for health emergency support, while financing for global humanitarian needs has diminished. In 2025, total humanitarian funding fell below levels seen in 2016, resulting in WHO and its partners being able to reach only one-third of the 81 million individuals originally targeted for health assistance.
To protect and support individuals in the most vulnerable and fragile circumstances, renewed commitments and solidarity are crucial.
In 2026, WHO's priority health emergency response areas will focus on nations such as Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Myanmar, the occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Ukraine, and Yemen, along with ongoing cholera and mpox outbreaks.
As the leading agency for health responses in humanitarian situations, WHO collaborates with over 1,500 partners across 24 crisis situations, ensuring that national authorities and local partners remain central to the emergency response efforts.
During the launch event, Ambassador Noel White, Ireland's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, underscored the connection between humanitarian crises and health crises, expressing Ireland's commitment by supporting WHO's emergency response through unearmarked funding for the Contingency Fund for Emergencies.
Ms. Marita Sørheim-Rensvik, Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations Office in Geneva, also spoke at the event, noting, "In today’s most complex emergencies, WHO remains indispensable—protecting health, upholding international humanitarian law, and ensuring essential care reaches those in places where few others can operate. From safeguarding access to sexual and reproductive health and rights to supporting frontline health workers under severe strain, WHO's contributions are vital. Norway urges all Member States to enhance their support for WHO, enabling it to continue serving those who require assistance most."
WHO and its partners have outlined priority emergency response actions that include:
By making early, predictable investments, WHO and its partners can react swiftly when crises arise. This proactive approach helps to minimize death and disease, contain outbreaks, and prevent health risks from escalating into broader humanitarian and health security crises that would incur more significant human and financial costs.
While WHO and other humanitarian organizations have had to make challenging decisions to prioritize the most urgent interventions, they remain committed to the most impactful actions. With the funds requested through this appeal, WHO aims to sustain life-saving health care in the world’s most critical emergencies and foster a pathway toward peace.
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