WHO/Europe is working with countries in the European Region, to ensure they have the necessary medical supplies and that the health workforce is trained to respond to COVID-19.
The European Commission is supporting WHO’s efforts on the ground with a €30 million contribution announced on 30 March 2020 for 6 Eastern Partnership countries and WHO European Region Member States – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine – to meet immediate needs in their responses to COVID-19.
Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said: “I would like to thank the European Commission for allocating this funding and working with WHO/Europe to deliver for health-care systems at this challenging time. Solidarity across borders is vital as we tackle the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Supporting the health sector, the funds will enable the procurement of medicines, medical equipment and tests, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) for health-care workers. In addition, they will be used to train medical and laboratory staff, and carry out case management and infection prevention and control, as well as risk communication and awareness raising measures for the wider public.
This €30 million package is part of a wider €140 million which has been reallocated to support the 6 countries following the outbreak of COVID-19.
The funds will be managed by WHO/Europe and WHO country offices, which will closely align and coordinate with national authorities and development partners, including in the United Nations system, to ensure that the necessary supplies are purchased and distributed to support the health systems in the 6 countries in the coming weeks and months.
Supporting longer-term needs
While most of the funding will cover immediate health needs in partner countries, part of the funds will also be available to help health systems recover from the COVID-19 outbreak, while a longer-term plan seeks to strengthen health systems and improve their readiness in case of future disease outbreaks.
WHO/Europe continues to work closely with partners and countries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.