In its first two years, the WHO Foundation raised nearly 40% of its funding from anonymous sources. This has raised concerns among some about potential influence on the World Health Organization and its role in shaping global health policy. The foundation, established in 2020 to secure private sector funds for the WHO, received a total of $66 million in direct gifts by 2022, with $26 million coming from undisclosed donors. Anil Soni, CEO of the WHO Foundation, assures that the board, which includes a representative from the World Health Organization, is aware of the donors’ identities and that the foundation will decline any gift that poses a conflict of interest.
Soni explains, “Donors choose anonymity due to concerns of being solicited or targeted based on their perceived wealth. I respect their decision.” As a Switzerland-based organization, the WHO Foundation is not legally obligated to disclose its donors. However, this has raised concerns among global health practitioners who fear that anonymous donations could obscure potential conflicts of interest. There are worries that companies may contribute to the foundation in order to influence the WHO’s global health policies and reports, which often have significant implications. For instance, the recent finding by two WHO branches that the sweetener aspartame may be a “possible” cause of cancer drew attention from food and beverage companies.
Sophie Harman, professor of international politics at Queen Mary University of London, emphasizes the need for greater transparency regarding anonymous donations. She states, “It is crucial for the integrity of the WHO to have more transparency in this matter.” The anonymous donations include a single gift of $20 million for the foundation’s operating expenses. While the majority of the WHO’s funding comes from governments, there were hopes that the WHO Foundation would attract new financing from wealthy individuals, the private sector, and public fundraising campaigns, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and former President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
