WHO "800 Billion Won Needed by April to Respond to Novel Coronavirus"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested funding of $675 million (approximately 800 billion KRW) from this month through April to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). WHO initially released $9 million using emergency funds, but emphasized that if the necessary funds are not injected immediately, the amount to be paid later will be even greater.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said at a briefing held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 5th (local time), "We are requesting approximately $675 million in funding to support countries' prevention, detection, and diagnosis related to the novel coronavirus through April," adding, "The funds that need to be invested now are much less than the amount to be paid later."

Of the requested support funds, $60 million will be used for WHO operational costs, and the remainder will go to countries needing assistance in dealing with the novel coronavirus, he added. Along with this, WHO stated that it has already released a total of $9 million through emergency funds. It also explained that it has supplied 500,000 masks, 350,000 pairs of gloves, and 40,000 gas masks to 24 countries where infections have occurred.

Meanwhile, Director-General Ghebreyesus faced international criticism for once again defending China along with the funding request. When asked about the UK advising its citizens to leave China, where the novel coronavirus outbreak occurred, during the briefing, he said, "Such an approach will not be helpful. We recommend that all countries make decisions based on evidence," explaining, "We understand that people are concerned and worried. However, now is not the time to be afraid, but the time to act and invest rationally and based on evidence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.