“We are witnessing an unprecedented convergence of crises that demand an unprecedented response.” The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, explained on Monday January 23 that the organization is currently responding to 54 health crises around the world, including 11 classified at the highest level of emergency possible, requiring a large-scale response. This is why the UN body wants to raise 2.54 billion dollars this year to respond to emergencies.
Wars and their devastating effects on civilian populations, in Ukraine, Yemen, Syria or Ethiopia collide with disasters linked to climate change, insists the WHO. The latter cites in particular the floods in Pakistan or the drought and food insecurity ravaging the Sahel and the Horn of Africa.
“The world cannot look away and expect these crises to resolve themselves”
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the WHO
“Specialized medical supplies and skills are needed immediately, if we are not to abandon the sick to disasters, disease and death”said Gordon Brown, WHO Global Health Financing Ambassador. “I want to plead with donors to respond urgently to fund vaccines, treatments, equipment and medical expertise”did he declare.
The many health emergencies are occurring as the need for humanitarian aid in general is skyrocketing. The UN has estimated that a record 339 million people worldwide will need some form of emergency assistance this year, an increase of almost a quarter on 2022.