WHO seeks R28bn for health emergencies, mainly in Africa

• There are 41 health emergencies globally, the majority of them in Africa.
• The Horn of Africa is the hardest hit by emergencies linked to climate change, extreme weather events, food insecurity, conflict, and displacement.
• The World Health Organisation requires R28 billion immediately.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is seeking R28 billion (US$1.5 billion) in 2024 for health emergencies caused by climate change, extreme weather events, food insecurity, conflict, and displacement.

And most of that is likely to be needed on the African continent, where the majority of the 41 emergencies currently are.

The hardest hit parts of Africa going into 2024 are:

• The northern part of Ethiopia is still dealing with the aftermath of the civil war and drought.
• The Horn of Africa, covering parts of Djibouti, parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. According to the WHO, the region "faces severe food insecurity, worsened by the climate crisis and conflict, and malnutrition and cholera are key challenges".
• In the WHO's breakdown, to the nearest tenth, the greater Horn of Africa Drought and Food Insecurity requires around R1.2 billion for dealing with cholera across the board, and R950 million is needed.
• The Sudan conflict and complex emergency require R760 million. 
• In one of Africa's textbook cases, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the humanitarian crisis requires an urgent R420 million.
• South Sudan's emergency requires as much as the DRC, while in northern Ethiopia, R475 million could cover the basics.
• The humanitarian situation in Somalia also requires R475 million.

The WHO said the funds raised from its emergency appeal for 2024 would be used mainly for preparedness and readiness, enabling a rapid and efficient response to disasters. 

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The organisation realises it might not raise as much as required because "underfunding across the humanitarian sector is affecting the United Nations and its partners".

Underfunding is directly linked to inaction, which puts even more lives at risk.

As outlined in 2023's Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO), 2023 was likely the first year since 2010/11 when humanitarian funding declined compared to the previous year. 

"By 24 November 2023, about US$20 billion had been received against the GHO 2023 requirements, amounting to about 35% of requirements. 

"This underfunding is having dire consequences on millions around the world, leaving those in need without immediate relief, whilst impacting prospects for children as their long-term health is put at serious risk," read the WHO's appeal.