Following the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), an employee, Tania Cernuschi, has launched a fundraising campaign that has already raised over $100,000.
Cernuschi, a 46-year-old Italian development economist, started the “One Dollar, One World” initiative after former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to exit the WHO upon returning to office on January 20.
The campaign, hosted on the WHO Foundation’s website, seeks to raise $1 billion to offset the funding shortfall caused by the U.S. departure.
More than 3,000 donors worldwide have contributed so far, with donations ranging from a few dollars to $500, and a major $20,000 pledge expected soon.
The WHO Foundation’s chief, Anil Soni, emphasized the importance of individual donations, noting that UNICEF and UNHCR raise hundreds of millions annually through similar efforts.
Cernuschi acknowledged frustrations with UN bureaucracy but stressed that the WHO, operating with a budget smaller than a major city hospital, plays a vital role in global health.