As countries ramp up their COVID-19 vaccination campaigns and work to contain new variants of the virus, WHO is tirelessly working towards equitable access of the new vaccines and continues to provide support in many other ways to countries all over the world. Here are some recent activities WHO was able to carry out to thanks to the vital backing of its many donors.
India rolls out the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination drive with support from WHO
Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the vaccination site at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. Story published by WHO/SEARO on 16 January 2021.
India recently rolled out the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination drive in January to reach around 300 million individuals in priority groups. The vaccines will be administered at over 3 000 sites in all states and union territories. Among the first to be vaccinated are 10 million health-workers who are at high risk of exposure to the disease. WHO is supporting the campaign through information, monitoring, and providing guidelines.
WHO helps maintain essential cholera protection during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Sudan
Hon. Elizabeth Acuei Yol, Minister of Health, administering oral cholera vaccine, South Sudan. Story published by WHO/AFRO on 20 January 2021.
WHO is supporting an oral cholera vaccination campaign in South Sudan to protect flood-displaced populations in high-risk areas.
The five-day campaign in January was organized and led by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO, UNICEF, IOM, MEDAIR and other partners to reach nearly 100 000 individuals aged one year and above in Pibor town, Verteth, Gumuruk and Lekuangule.
With European Union support, WHO will fight COVID-19 and strengthen health systems in Somalia
WHO/Somalia personnel receiving medical supplies donated by the EU. Story published by WHO/EMRO on 21 January 2021.
The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Somalia and the WHO Somalia country office recently signed a €5 million multi-year contribution agreement for a project to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and to strengthen the country’s health systems.
WHO and the EU Delegation to Somalia will continue to collaborate closely in the future, alongside the health authorities, in their joint efforts to reach and support the most vulnerable populations across the country with essential and life-saving health services.
WHO and DHL team up to deliver health-care equipment to the Pacific
DHL sends healthcare supplies for WHO to the Pacific Islands. Story published by WHO/WPRO on 19 January 2021.
WHO recently teamed up with DHL Global Forwarding to coordinate WHO’s latest delivery: more than US$ 2 million worth of medical devices such as oxygen concentrator sets, patient monitors and pulse oximeters. The equipment was flown with the help of DHL from Singapore to WHO’s Division of Pacific Technical Support in Fiji.
The devices are destined for hospitals and other health-care facilities in eight countries and areas in the Pacific, where they will help local medical professionals to treat COVID-19 patients.
Canada and WHO support COVID-19 prevention programme among indigenous people in Bolivia
Demesio Semo Molle of the Yuqui council told WHO staff that his community doesn’t have access to clean water. Story published by PAHO/WHO on 20 January 2021.
Thanks to funding from the government of Canada and technical assistance from the WHO Regional Office for the Americas, Bolivia recently established a culturally adapted communication and training programme to prevent and manage COVID-19 in the tropics of Cochabamba. The programme is aimed to help the Pachinu and Bia Recuate communities of the Yuqui people and benefitted from their active participation.
EU, WHO donate supplies to enhance lab capacity for COVID-19 testing in Belize
Local staff receive laboratory equipment donated by the EU and WHO. Story published by PAHO/WHO on 20 January 2021.
The European Union (EU) and WHO Regional Office for the Americas recently donated a stock of crucial supplies to the Central Medical Laboratory, Ministry of Health and Wellness to enhance the laboratory’s capacity to continue the screening and testing for COVID-19 nationwide.
WHO, Germany deliver critical medical supplies to Western Balkan countries to strengthen COVID-19 response and save lives
A medical worker with COVID-19 test samples at Belgrade’s Torlak institute. Story published by WHO/EURO on 25 January 2021.
WHO has partnered with the German Government to deliver medical supplies worth € 3.65 million to countries in the Western Balkan region. These supplies – 334 ventilators and 19 400 pulse oximeters – will equip health facilities to monitor and improve the health outcomes of COVID-19 patients, particularly in intensive care units.
The shipments were distributed at the end of 2020 to hospitals across the region’s five countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo. They will serve the immediate needs of countries during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as strengthen the capacities of hospitals for future health emergencies.
EU provides additional € 35 million to support the fight against COVID-19 in Afghanistan
A COVID-19 Rapid Response Team in Afghanistan. Story published by WHO/EMRO on 26 January 2021.
The EU-Delegation in Kabul recently announced additional support of € 35 million to tackle COVID-19 and mitigate its socioeconomic impacts in Afghanistan. Since the start of the pandemic, the EU has mobilized almost € 147 million to address the immediate health crisis and provide humanitarian assistance to people in need.
The additional funds will contribute to strengthening the response capacity of health systems to test and treat patients, to improve infection prevention, to raise awareness and to reduce nutritional risks through three projects implemented by WHO, UNICEF and a consortium led by the Aga Khan Foundation.
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Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19 across the world.
Without the support of donors and partners, WHO would not be able to reach these countries in need and help them make it through the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO thanks all governments, organizations and individuals contributing to the COVID-19 response around the world, and in particular those who have provided fully flexible contributions, to ensure a comprehensive fight against the disease.
African Development Bank, Alwaleed Foundation, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bulgaria, CAF, Canada, Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), China, Côte d’Ivoire, COVID MPTF, COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, European Commission, Finland, France, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, Germany, GFATM, Pacific Health Officers’ Association, Guinea, Holy See, Iceland, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Japan, Ireland, Islamic Development Bank, Italy, King Baudouin Foundation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Novartis International AG, OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Pacific Health Officers’ Association, Pandemic Tech, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Slovenia, Russian Federation, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tetra Pak Export FZE, Standard Chartered Bank, Thailand, United Kingdom, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNDP/UNOSS, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNFCU Foundation, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United States, Viet Nam, Vital Strategies/Resolve to Save Lives, World Bank, World Bank/PEF
Read more about donors and partners contributing to the COVID-19 response
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