WHO Launches $1 Billion Appeal for Global Health Emergencies in 2026

The World Health Organization (WHO) launched its 2026 global appeal on February 3, 2026, seeking nearly US$1 billion to provide healthcare access to millions affected by humanitarian crises and conflicts worldwide. The appeal underscores the growing challenges of delivering medical care in increasingly complex and underfunded emergency situations.

Responding to Escalating Global Needs

In 2025, the WHO and its partners provided support to 30 million people through its annual emergency appeal. This included delivering life-saving vaccinations to 5.3 million children, facilitating 53 million health consultations, and supporting over 8,000 health facilities. The organization also deployed 1,370 mobile clinics to reach vulnerable populations. However, these efforts were hampered by a significant decline in humanitarian funding, leaving the WHO able to reach only one-third of the 81 million people originally targeted for assistance.

The 2026 appeal focuses on responding to 36 emergencies globally, including 14 categorized as “Grade 3” – the highest level of organizational response required by the WHO. These emergencies encompass both sudden-onset disasters and long-term, protracted crises where health needs are critically high. The convergence of ongoing conflicts, the escalating impacts of climate change, and recurrent infectious disease outbreaks are driving increased demand for emergency health support, while funding continues to shrink.

A Call for Solidarity and Investment

“This appeal is a call to stand with people living through conflict, displacement and disaster – to give them not just services, but the confidence that the world has not turned its back on them,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. He emphasized that providing healthcare in these settings is not merely an act of charity, but a “strategic investment in health and security,” restoring dignity, stabilizing communities, and offering a pathway toward recovery.

The WHO’s priority areas for emergency response in 2026 include Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Myanmar, the occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Ukraine, and Yemen. Ongoing outbreaks of cholera and mpox are also key priorities. The organization coordinates the efforts of more than 1,500 partner organizations across 24 crisis settings, ensuring that national authorities and local partners remain central to the response.

Focus on Essential Healthcare Services

The WHO’s emergency response actions encompass a broad range of essential healthcare services. These include maintaining the functionality of essential health facilities, delivering emergency medical supplies and trauma care, preventing and responding to disease outbreaks, restoring routine immunization programs, and ensuring access to sexual and reproductive, maternal, and child health services, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected environments.

The appeal comes at a critical juncture, as humanitarian funding in 2025 fell below levels seen in 2016. This funding shortfall forces organizations like the WHO to make difficult choices, prioritizing the most critical interventions. However, even with limited resources, the remaining activities represent the most impactful ways to save lives and alleviate suffering.

International Support and Collaboration

The launch event highlighted the importance of international collaboration and sustained funding. Ambassador Noel White, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations Office in Geneva, emphasized that “Every humanitarian crisis is a health crisis,” and praised the WHO’s emergency response, supported by Ireland’s unearmarked, flexible, and predictable funding of the Contingency Fund for Emergencies.

Ms. Marita Sørheim-Rensvik, Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations Office at Geneva, echoed this sentiment, stating that the WHO “remains indispensable” in complex emergencies, protecting health, upholding international humanitarian law, and delivering life-saving care where few others can operate. She called on all Member States to strengthen their support for the WHO to ensure its continued ability to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable populations.

The Importance of Early Investment

The WHO stresses that early, predictable investment is crucial for effective emergency response. Prompt action reduces mortality and morbidity, contains outbreaks, and prevents health risks from escalating into larger humanitarian and health security crises, ultimately reducing both human suffering and financial costs. With the requested resources, the WHO aims to sustain life-saving care in the world’s most severe emergencies while simultaneously building a foundation for long-term peace and recovery.

The organization’s work focuses on sustaining the most impactful activities, even amidst resource constraints, and bridging the gap between immediate life-saving interventions and the long-term rebuilding of health systems in conflict-affected and disaster-prone regions.