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CFE

WHO Contingency Fund for Emergancies (CFE)

Sudan 2023 ©WHO Ala Kheir

The Philippines is unique among WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) donors, having benefited from life-saving aid financed by the Fund. The Philippines considers the CFE a sound investment in global health security. We encourage all donors, large and small, to commit resources to this unique mechanism to strengthen WHO’s role in responding to health emergencies.

Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN in Geneva

CFE: 10 years enabling life-saving quick action

  • US$445M total allocations

  • 190 emergencies in 80 countries & territories

  • US$342M in contributions from 28 donors

  • 5 global disease outbreaks cholera, COVID-19, dengue, mpox, Zika virus

Syria 2023 ©WHO Inas Hamam

CFE: What it is and why it matters

Public health emergencies can escalate rapidly within and beyond borders. The ability to respond quickly can make the difference between minimizing loss of life and seeing emergencies spiral out of control, with a heavy humanitarian toll on people’s lives and well-being.

The WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) was established in 2015 by a resolution of the World Health Assembly. The CFE provides WHO with the resources to respond rapidly to emergencies – including natural disasters, complex crises and disease outbreaks - so assistance can reach affected people as quickly as possible. The CFE relies on the support of WHO Member States and other contributors. Funds are pooled to maximize flexibility and predictability. When an emergency strikes, WHO can access these funds quickly to support goverments and work with frontline relief partners in the immediate response. Rapidly deploying medical teams, delivering life-saving medicines and supplies, and reaching remote communities with emergency health services – this is what the CFE makes possible, and more.

Lebanon 2024 ©WHO Christopher Black
Kenya 2023 ©WHO Genna Print

Why invest in the CFE?

WHO recognizes that donor resources are limited and that relief agencies must deliver value for money. Funding delivered through the CFE reduces administrative costs, simplifies reporting and ensures a quick response. In many cases, this reduces the need to seek additional funding to respond to emergencies.

The CFE’s value proposition resonates with donors. But the true return on investment can be measured by the countless children protected from disease, by the mothers supported during childbirth, by the men and women treated for the physical and psychological scars of war, and by the communities whose health systems are more resilient and better prepared for the next crisis.

Germany is proud to be the largest contributor to the CFE. Investing in the CFE adds a formidable layer of protection against global health threats, enabling WHO to respond to health emergencies in places such as Ukraine, the Middle East and the greater Horn of Africa.

Susanne Baumann State Secretary, Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Somalia 2022 ©WHO Ismail Taxta

How does the CFE work?

CFE funds are available to emergency teams at headquarters, regional and country level. Small amounts can be released immediately, for example for a risk assessment mission in response to a suspected disease outbreak. For major emergencies, such as natural disasters and protracted crises, larger amounts can be allocated in as little as 24 hours.

CFE funds are approved for the first three months of a response and may be extended if needs persist. Emergency teams are requested to reimburse allocations to the extent possible by seeking other donor funding, return all unspent funds, and report back on how CFE funds were used.

How does WHO ensure accountability?

The CFE is an integral part of the WHO Emergency Response Framework, which directs the Organization’s response to health emergencies, including by clearly laying out tiers of responsibility and accountability. Standard operating procedures guide requests for, and management of, CFE funding. Oversight and continual feedback are further provided by the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee (IOAC).

An annual report is produced and issued to all CFE donors, both as a means of accountability and to satisfy donor reporting requirements. The CFE website includes up-to-date information on the Fund, including the latest allocations and contributions.

The CFE allows us to react immediately. This ensures that assistance reaches affected populations as quickly as possible, shortening the duration of health emergencies and mitigating their impact. I thank all donors for their life-saving support.

Dr Michael J Ryan Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme and Deputy Director-General, Geneva

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Ukraine 2024 ©WHO