ABUJA, Nigeria – The World Health Organization is seeking nearly US$1 billion under its 2026 global appeal to deliver urgent health services to millions affected by conflict, disasters and disease outbreaks worldwide.
Announced on Tuesday, the appeal targets 36 health emergencies, including 14 classifieds as Grade 3 — the highest level of WHO response.
In 2025, WHO and partners will reach 30 million people, delivering vaccines to 5.3 million children and supporting more than 8,000 health facilities.
“This appeal is a call to stand with people living through conflict and disaster,” says WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “It is not charity. It is a strategic investment in health and security.”
The appeal comes amid shrinking global humanitarian funding, which WHO says fell below 2016 levels last year, limiting outreach to only one-third of targeted populations.
Priority countries include Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen and the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside responses to cholera and mpox outbreaks.
WHO stresses that early and flexible funding saves lives, stabilises communities and prevents health emergencies from escalating.
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