London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jul 12, 2025

Coronavirus: European Commission earmarks US$124 million to WHO response plan, biggest pledge so far

Coronavirus: European Commission earmarks US$124 million to WHO response plan, biggest pledge so far

‘With more than 2,600 lives lost already, there is no option but to prepare at all levels,’ says Europe’s commissioner for crisis management. World Health Organisation leader calls spike in cases in South Korea, Iran and Italy ‘deeply concerning’

The World Health Organisation on Monday received its biggest pledge of funds to support global initiatives to stop the spread of Covid-19.

The European Commission (EC) has earmarked 114 million euros (US$124 million) for the UN agency’s Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to contain the viral respiratory ailment. The money is part of a package totalling €232 million that will also provide funds directly to health authorities in Africa and an EU-based initiative to develop diagnostics and treatment.

Some €3 million of the total was carved out for repatriation flights for EU citizens in Wuhan, China, where the epidemic first became apparent in December.

“With more than 2,600 lives lost already, there is no option but to prepare at all levels,” Janez Lenarcic, the EC’s emergency response coordinator, said in an announcement. “Our new aid package will support the World Health Organisation and target funding to ensure countries with weaker health systems are not left behind. Our goal is to contain the outbreak at a global level.”

The additional funding for the WHO’s initiative follows conflicting messages of optimism that the spread of Covid-19 has peaked in China and concern about the possibility of it spreading beyond the control of health authorities in other countries.

Earlier on Monday, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said via Twitter, citing the findings of a WHO team that visited Wuhan over the weekend, that the epidemic “peaked & plateaued between the 23rd of January & the 2nd of February & has been declining steadily since then.”

Tedros added: “The sudden increases of cases in Italy, the Islamic Republic of Iran & the Republic of Korea are deeply concerning.”


South Korea raised its coronavirus alert to the highest level on Sunday after a spike in the number of infections. The country’s total of 838 cases is the highest outside mainland China, apart from the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan.

Iran and South Korea have the highest death tolls outside of China with 12 and 8, respectively.

The WHO issued a call earlier this month for US$675 million to fund its preparedness and response plan, which is meant “to implement priority public health measures in support of countries to prepare for and respond to” Covid-19.

“Considering the urgency and considering that we’re fighting a very dangerous enemy, we’re surprised that the response is not really something that we would expect,” Tedros said last week, adding that Covid-19 was “public enemy No 1”.

Other supporters of the initiative include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which pledged up to US$100 million, including contributions to the WHO’s efforts and the development of vaccines, drugs and diagnostics.

On February 7, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pledged to spend up to US$100 million to assist China and other countries affected by the contagion.

Among other donors, the Japanese government has committed US$10 million and Canada has pledged US$2 million.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
×