The candidate promises that the WHO will be “recommendative only”: how is it now?

Established by joint resolution

World Health Organization (WHO) – is a specialized institution of the United Nations (UN), the largest international health organization. Its main goal is to achieve the highest level of healthcare in all countries of the world.

The idea of ​​a separate health agency arose immediately after the Second World War, during the United Nations Conference on International Cooperation (UNICO).

in 1946 61 states in New York signed WHO constitution, which entered into force in 1948 April 7 – since then this day is celebrated as World Health Day.

Organization main headquarters located in the Swiss city of Geneva.

According to WHO constitution this organization leads and coordinates international cooperation in the field of health protection, promotes technical cooperation between member states, seeks to unify and establish common health protection standards, cooperate with governments in strengthening national health systems, develop and provide appropriate health protection technologies, information and standards to states.

Monitors the epidemiological situation

Contrary to what is claimed on Facebook in the recordWHO recommendations have never been and are not binding.

The ability to declare a public health emergency of international concern is WHO’s greatest weapon.

This measure allows the redistribution of additional financial and other resources needed to form the necessary positions and measures for member states, such as quarantine or travel bans.

A special emergency committee, made up of health experts, virologists and other scientists, constantly adjusts the organization’s response as the situation changes.

Recommendations are optional

WHO Special Envoy for the European Region Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, 15 minutes when asked to explain the nature of the recommendations provided by the organization, emphasized that the statutes do not provide for mandatory obligations for member countries.

“The WHO, as well as its European regional office, cannot give any orders, because it is not even in our statute or competences,” emphasized VPAndriukaitis.

He explained that WHO is responsible for collecting and analyzing epidemiological data.

“This is necessary in order to assess the situation properly, to announce when epidemics or pandemics occur,” explained the politician.

According to VPAndriukaitis, there are still several equally important tasks for the WHO.

“WHO convenes scientific teams to provide science-based recommendations. Many working groups examine various infections, provide conclusions and proposals. However, it does not in any way explain how each country must behave.

The WHO also monitors immunization levels in various countries around the world – how programs are implemented, makes recommendations on vaccination volumes and groups that should be vaccinated first.

WHO experts are clarifying which vaccines are safe and can be used, but I would like to emphasize that the organization itself, without the permission of the countries’ medical agencies, cannot approve vaccines or preparations, nor can it order countries to use specific preparations”, explained the politician with medical education.

WHO’s special envoy for the European region emphasized that the organization does not have any executive powers and has never had them – it only provides advice to member states if they wish to do so.

Financed by state and private foundations

Distributed by Facebook in the message it is also declared that “it will be enough to listen to the instructions of the “computerist” on how and from what to treat”.

Most likely, one of the biggest supporters of the WHO is meant – philanthropist and billionaire Bill Gates. However, a few things should be clarified here.

WHO is funded by two main sources: member states pay country membership fees, provide voluntary financing for targeted projects, a significant part is supported by independent partners.

Stronger economies are generally expected to provide more funding to the WHO.

It should come as no surprise that the United States is the largest funder of the World Health Organization.

It is expected that during the most recent budget cycle The United States will provide about 220 million to the WHO. US dollars (about 205 million euros).

In addition, China is expected to provide about 115 million dollars (107 million euros).

Although WHO’s overall budget has fluctuated over the years, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has consistently remained among the top contributors.

2018-2019 The United States of America was the largest donor with 893 million. dollars, which accounted for about 15 percent. of the entire WHO budget. The foundation of billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates was only in second place with 531 million. dollars.

Funding for the WHO was cut during Trump’s administration, so in 2020-2021 Germany briefly overtook the United States as the largest donor.

Other major donors are the United Kingdom and the European Commission.

Each year, approximately 10 percent WHO’s funding comes from philanthropic foundations, mainly the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The audited financial statements published by WHO indicate that in 2022 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation WHO allocated about 390 million dollars, and in 2021 – 375 million dollars.

In 2020, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation allocated 591 million dollars, which is significantly less than the largest backer – 1.07 billion. Germany allocated 445.4 million dollars to the organization, but 445.4 million was cut more than due to D.Trump’s policy. dollars allocated to the United States.

Despite the generous donations, WHO’s statutes do not provide that Mr. Gates could somehow participate in the management of the organization or “indicate” to member countries what they should treat or vaccinate their citizens against.

The only influence that the foundation can legally exert is targeted donations. This means that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation allocates funds for specific programs or research, so the WHO cannot distribute them anywhere else.

15 minutes verdict: lie. The WHO does not have any executive powers and has never had any. The organization’s recommendations are advisory in nature.

The publication was prepared in 15 minutes in partnership with Metait aims to stop the spread of misleading news on the social network. More about the program and its rules – here.