The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially launched its 2026 global appeal, requesting nearly $1 billion to provide life-saving healthcare to millions of individuals trapped in humanitarian crises and conflict zones. This urgent call for funding comes at a pivotal moment. Approximately 250 million people are living without basic safety, shelter, or medical access.
During the launch in Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised that this appeal is not a plea for charity but a “strategic investment in health and security” . He argued that restoring access to healthcare is a fundamental step toward restoring dignity. It helps stabilise communities. Ultimately, it offers a viable pathway toward recovery.
Furthermore, Dr. Tedros highlighted a stark global disparity: while the WHO seeks 1billionforglobalhealth,total∗∗globaldefencespending∗∗hasnowsurgedpast∗∗2.5 trillion annually** . Consequently, the appeal serves as a reminder to the international community that the world must not turn its back on those displaced by disaster and conflict.
A Critical Funding Gap in Severe Emergencies
The 2026 appeal is designed to address 36 emergencies worldwide . Notably, 14 of these are “Grade 3” crises, which represent the highest level of organisational response required by the WHO. This mission is complicated. Humanitarian and health financing is currently suffering its sharpest decline in a decade.
Last year, humanitarian funding plummeted below 2016 levels, which meant the WHO and its partners could only reach one-third of the 81 million people they had originally targeted. Because of these stinging cuts, the agency has been forced to make difficult choices, prioritising only the most impactful and critical interventions.
Priority Regions and Response Areas
The WHO coordinates over 1,500 partners across 24 crisis settings, ensuring that local authorities remain at the heart of emergency efforts. For 2026, the priority response areas include:
Conflict Zones: Ukraine, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, and Syria.
Fragile States: Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen.
Health Crises: Ongoing efforts to contain outbreaks of cholera and mpox in regions like the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In these areas, the funding will be used to keep health facilities operational, deliver trauma care, restore routine immunisations, and ensure access to maternal and child health services.
The Proven Impact of Emergency Funding
Investing in the WHO’s emergency appeal produces measurable results. For instance, in 2025, the annual appeal supported 30 million people . The impact of these resources included:
Providing life-saving vaccinations to 5.3 million children.
Facilitating 53 million health consultations.
Supporting over 8,000 health facilities.
Deploying 1,370 mobile clinics to reach remote populations.
Early and predictable investment allows the WHO to contain outbreaks before they escalate into far more costly global health security emergencies.
Questions & Answers: The 2026 WHO Appeal
What is a “Grade 3” crisis?
A Grade 3 crisis is the WHO’s highest classification for an emergency, requiring a substantial and immediate organisational response due to the scale and complexity of the situation.
Why is health financing declining now? The WHO reports that humanitarian financing is experiencing its sharpest decline in ten years due to converging global pressures, including protracted conflicts and economic shifts, leading to significant funding cuts.
How does the WHO use these funds specifically? The funds maintain essential health facilities. They also deliver emergency medical supplies and respond to infectious disease outbreaks, like cholera and mpox. Additionally, they provide sexual and reproductive health services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How much money is the WHO asking for in 2026?
The WHO is requesting nearly $1 billion to fund its global health emergency operations.
- Which countries are considered high-priority for this appeal?
Priority areas include Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Gaza (Occupied Palestinian Territory), Haiti, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen, among others.
- How many people are currently living in humanitarian crises?
Approximately 250 million people are currently living through crises. A quarter of a billion people are affected. These crises have stripped them of safety and healthcare.
- What happens if the appeal is not fully funded?
Shrinking funding forces the WHO and its 1,500+ partners to make “difficult choices.” This situation often results in millions of people being left without essential medical assistance.
- How does this compare to global military spending?
While the WHO seeks $1 billion for healthcare, global defence spending is estimated at over $2.5 trillion a year.