The Government of Japan has provided a new contribution of US$ 22 million to WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) - the single largest contribution to the fund since its founding in 2015.
In 2018 the CFE provided US$ 37.5 million for responses to 28 health emergencies, with most allocations released within 24 hours. For example, CFE support helped WHO immediately send teams to respond to 2 Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; assist government efforts to stop the largest Lassa fever outbreak on record in Nigeria; and provide support for the earthquake response in Papua New Guinea.
Thousands of civilians continue to flee #Afrin through Al-Zyara crossing. #Aleppo Directorate of Health mobile clinics and ambulances-donated by WHO thanks to a generous contribution from the Govt of #Japan-are on standby at the crossing, ready to help ill and wounded civilians. pic.twitter.com/vSNyHdr26F
— WHO Syria (@WHOSyria) March 20, 2018
Contributions to the CFE are not earmarked, giving WHO the flexibility it needs to act quickly in response to disease outbreaks, natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies. This saves lives and helps prevent unnecessary suffering. A quick response also dramatically reduces the costs of controlling outbreaks and emergencies, and reduces wider social and economic impacts.
Partners like Japan increasingly consider the CFE to be a global public good. Ensuring the fund’s sustainability strengthens global health security. WHO is working with Member States to reach the CFE’s target of US$ 100 million over the 2018-2019 biennium.
“Japan sees the CFE as an essential financial source for responding to health emergencies,” said Dr Chieko Ikeda, Senior Assistant Minister for Global Health at Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. “We call on other donors to support this life-saving fund.”
In 2018, Japan was one of the top 10 donors to WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, with contributions totalling more than US$ 37 million.
Japan has also provided critical and consistent support for the health emergency response to the humanitarian crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic, including US$ 15.8 million in 2018. Support from Japan has boosted public health services for some of the most vulnerable people in the country, including through the rehabilitation of critical health facilities and the donation of ambulances and medical equipment.