In the wake of the United States’ decision to sever financial ties with the World Health Organization (WHO), one resolute staff member has taken it upon herself to bridge the funding chasm. Tania Cernuschi, a veteran development
economist, has launched an ambitious crowdfunding initiative, already securing over $100,000 toward an extraordinary $1 billion goal.
Cernuschi conceived the initiative in the immediate aftermath of President Donald Trump’s executive order, which formalized Washington’s withdrawal from the global health agency—one of his earliest directives upon reassuming office
on January 20. The financial void left by the U.S., previously WHO’s largest contributor, has since deepened, following Argentina’s recent announcement of its own departure from the United Nations health body.
With a target set at $1 billion, Cernuschi’s initiative aims to compensate for the U.S.’s financial contributions, which amounted to approximately $1.3 billion across the 2022–2023 period—constituting a substantial 16% of WHO’s entire
budget.
“The moment I heard the news, a profound sense of unease overtook me,” Cernuschi shared, reflecting on the origins of her campaign. “I woke up the next morning with a singular thought—this must be done. And when I sought approval,
no one stood in my way.”
She promptly launched the “One Dollar, One World” fundraising effort through the WHO Foundation, an entity established to channel private-sector contributions into high-impact health initiatives. Her approach is simple yet
audacious: “If a billion individuals each donate a single dollar, we will reach our target. Of course, those who wish to contribute more are welcome to do so.”
So far, more than 3,000 donors from across the globe have joined the cause, raising an estimated $104,000 as of Wednesday afternoon. Among them, roughly 20 benefactors have donated upwards of $500, and anticipation is mounting for
a substantial $20,000 pledge expected in the coming days.
The WHO Foundation, established in 2020, seeks to emulate the fundraising strategies of other UN organizations, which have long relied on individual and corporate donors.
“Individual contributions are pivotal to the sustainability of global agencies,” noted WHO Foundation CEO Anil Soni. “For instance, UNICEF secures over a billion dollars annually from such donations, while UNHCR garners approximately
$500 million per year.”
Since 2021, the WHO Foundation has cultivated a donor base of 40,000 individuals, generating $6 million in personal donations and an additional $26 million from corporate partners, including a notable $5 million contribution from
social media giant Meta.
Cernuschi initially harbored modest expectations for her campaign, believing it might struggle to surpass $200. “This is as much an act of solidarity as it is a fundraising effort,” she remarked.
Having dedicated her career to the UN system and NGOs—including UNICEF and the Gavi vaccine alliance—Cernuschi remains steadfast in her belief in the agency’s mission. However, she acknowledges the persistent challenge of conveying
WHO’s significance to the public, particularly in affluent nations.
“There’s a misconception that our work solely benefits low-income countries,” she explained. “While our efforts certainly extend to vulnerable populations, wealthier nations also reap substantial benefits, particularly in the realm
of vaccine production and global health security.”
Despite her unwavering commitment, she expressed mounting exasperation with the UN’s rigid bureaucratic machinery. “We must evolve—become more nimble, more adaptable, more results-driven, and ultimately, more efficient,” she asserted.
Yet, for all its constraints, WHO operates on a budget that pales in comparison to that of a major metropolitan hospital. “And still, across 194 nations, it saves countless lives every single day,” Cernuschi concluded. “That, to me,
is the very definition of efficiency.”
AFP
