When the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) largest donor, the United States, announced its withdrawal, one employee launched an online fundraiser to bridge the gap—raising over $100,000 so far.
Tania Cernuschi, 46, had the idea after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order confirming Washington’s exit from the WHO on January 20.
The financial shortfall worsened when Argentina also announced its departure from the UN health agency on Wednesday.
Cernuschi aims to raise $1 billion to offset US contributions, which accounted for $1.3 billion—16% of the WHO’s 2022-2023 budget.
“I was disturbed by the news,” said Cernuschi, an Italian development economist with a decade at the WHO.
“I woke up, thought of the campaign, and asked if I could proceed. No one stopped me.”
She launched the “One Dollar, One World” fundraiser via the WHO Foundation, which channels private donations to high-impact health projects.
“I’m asking for one dollar from a billion people to reach $1 billion. But people can give more,” she said, adding that all funds go directly to the foundation.
Over 3,000 donors worldwide have contributed, raising around $104,000 as of Wednesday.
“We have about 20 donors who gave over $500, and we’re expecting a $20,000 donation soon, which would be fantastic,” she said.
Individuals ‘Crucial’
The WHO Foundation, launched in 2020, mobilises private donations similarly to other UN bodies.
“Individual giving is critical for many international organisations,” said WHO Foundation CEO Anil Soni.
“UNICEF raises over a billion a year. UNHCR raises $500 million per year,” he noted, referring to the UN children’s and refugee agencies.
The WHO Foundation has attracted 40,000 individual donors, raising $6 million from individuals and $26 million from businesses since 2021—including $5 million from US tech giant Meta.
‘A Big Frustration’
Cernuschi initially doubted her initiative would raise even $200, describing it as “more an act of solidarity than a fundraising effort.”
“I’ve spent my life in the UN and NGOs—I believe in what I do,” said Cernuschi, who previously worked with UNICEF and the Gavi vaccine alliance.
She acknowledged that private donors cannot be expected to fund the WHO alone but stressed the agency must better communicate its global impact, particularly to wealthier nations.
“There’s a perception that we work only for poorer countries—which we do—but there’s also a benefit to citizens in richer nations,” she said, highlighting that most vaccines and medicines are developed there.
Cernuschi admitted feeling “big, big frustration” with UN bureaucracy.
“We must become more agile, flexible, impactful, and efficient,” she said.
However, she emphasised that the WHO saves thousands of lives daily across 194 countries—on a budget “smaller than that of a major city hospital.”
“I call that efficient,” she added.
