STATEMENT

Geneva, 16 April 2020 - In light of threats to suspend funding for the World Health Organization (WHO), the NCD Alliance reiterates its support for the vital role of WHO in protecting people’s health. 

Amid the Coronavirus pandemic that poses an unprecedented threat to health systems and economies worldwide, we need a strong WHO now more than ever. Its technical expertise, norms and guidance, and leadership is critical to supporting countries and fostering international cooperation to address COVID-19, as well as improving population health and resilience to the underlying conditions that are driving fatality rates, including noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). 

Retracting support for WHO at this critical moment will have far-reaching adverse ramifications - not only prolonging and exacerbating the COVID-19 pandemic, but also potentially impacting other disease prevention and control programmes such as NCDs. 

We therefore urge governments to stand together to respond to this global pandemic in solidarity, and step up funding contributions to WHO. Saving lives should be top priority. No country will succeed alone.