COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund

COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund

Help WHO fight COVID-19

WHO/Blink Media – Fabeha Monir
WHO infection prevention and control specialist Rebecca Rachell Apolot (WHO jacket) advises nurses in a health facility in the Kutupalong camp, Bangladesh, on how to provide safe care to COVID-19 patients without exposing themselves to the virus.
© Credits

The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund was a global fundraising initiative launched in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation. It was established to enable individuals, corporations, and organizations worldwide to contribute directly to WHO’s efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Management and operations

Initially, the Fund was co-hosted by the UN Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, serving as the primary fiduciary partners. WHO coordinated the overall organization of the Fund, allocating the raised funds to respond to the pandemic. In March 2021, the newly established WHO Foundation took over as the primary fundraising agent for the Fund. 

Fundraising achievements

Between March 2020 and December 2021, the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund raised over US$ 256 million from than 675 000 donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations across more than 190 countries. 

Allocation and impact

The funds were rapidly deployed to areas of greatest need, supporting various aspects of the global COVID-19 response. Key allocations included:

  • distribution of over 270 million pieces of personal protective equipment and medical supplies;

  • provision of more than 19 million COVID-19 tests;

  • support for vaccine trials in over 100 countries;

  • development of training tools in 44 languages: and

  • combating COVID-19 misinformation. 

Additionally, the Fund supported the pandemic efforts of organizations such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), and the vaccine development alliance CEPI. 

Closure

The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund officially ceased operations on 31 December 2021.

For a comprehensive overview of the Fund’s impact, visit the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund Impact website