The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a $1.5 billion Health Emergency Appeal for 2025 to deliver crucial health interventions globally. This initiative, announced on Thursday by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, aims to prioritize responses to 42 ongoing health emergencies, 17 of which need immediate, coordinated actions.
“Conflicts, outbreaks, and climate-related disasters are no longer isolated or sporadic,” Tedros stated. “They are relentless, overlapping, and intensifying.” He emphasized that the appeal is not just about securing resources but about saving lives, upholding the right to health, and offering hope where it is most needed.
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A World Facing Unprecedented Challenges
The appeal comes amidst record-breaking violence against healthcare systems. In 2024 alone, 1,515 attacks on health facilities were recorded across 15 countries, leading to hundreds of deaths and significantly disrupting essential services.
WHO’s operations span some of the most fragile regions, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, and Ukraine. In these areas, the organization provides emergency medical aid, conducts vaccination drives to prevent disease outbreaks, delivers mental health support to trauma-affected communities, and addresses malnutrition and maternal health needs.
For instance, in Ukraine, WHO established modular clinics to replace destroyed health facilities, ensuring displaced populations could still access necessary care. Meanwhile, in Gaza, despite facing logistical and security challenges, WHO administered over one million polio vaccines in 2024, averting a potential public health crisis among children.
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Building Resilience for the Future
Beyond immediate crisis response, WHO is committed to empowering communities to build resilience and preparedness. “This is about breaking the cycle of vulnerability and creating a sustainable foundation for global health security,” Tedros explained.
WHO’s approach targets the root causes of health vulnerabilities, promoting equity and ensuring access to healthcare even in the most challenging environments. Supporting the Health Emergency Appeal is not just an immediate necessity—it’s an investment in the future of global health.
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A Call for Global Solidarity
Tedros described the appeal as a plea for global solidarity, urging donors to act decisively. In 2024, humanitarian health responses were severely underfunded, with only 40% of identified needs met, forcing WHO to make tough decisions about which populations to prioritize.
Without urgent funding, millions of people—particularly the most vulnerable—will remain at risk. The 2025 Appeal is a commitment to equity, resilience, and the principle that health is a fundamental human right. Funds raised will enable WHO to continue delivering essential services on the frontlines, from treating patients in conflict zones to addressing the health impacts of climate-related disasters, ensuring no one is left behind.
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