Germany drops to 2nd biggest WHO donor despite new pledge of $140 million

Germany will give $141.87 million to the World Health Organization this year, its health minister said on Thursday after a meeting with the head of the UN health agency.

However, this announcement was not enough to return to the top donor spot, due to Trump-era funding cuts, after Berlin temporarily overtook main historical contributor Washington in the final funding period of 2020-2021. , as evidenced by WHO data.

“We are pleased to contribute 130 million euros to the WHO this year,” Karl Lauterbach told reporters at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, after a meeting with Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Who wants to expand role in tackling next global health emergency but faces funding issues

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus make a statement on February 2, 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland.
(Reuters/Denis Balibous)

“WHO needs to be financially sound so humanity can be better prepared for the next pandemic,” Lauterbach said on Twitter.

Lauterbach met Tedros on the sidelines of a meeting of the agency’s executive board this week, where it is seeking a stronger role in global health but is still seeking answers on how to fund it. The body’s funding system, which currently has a gap of about $1 billion, is widely seen as in need of major reform, depending on donor whims.

Click here to get the Fox News app

“We appreciate the strategic support,” Tedros told reporters on Berlin’s latest contribution.

Germany, which helped Ethiopia’s Tedros get re-elected for his second term, has so far contributed $776 million to the current search for $1.12 billion from the United States, WHO data showed. Let’s go Those figures did not include the latest announcement.