Denmark contributes with DKK 8 million to the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies, which aim is to quickly mount an effective response to disease outbreaks and humanitarian crises with health consequences.
“I am pleased that Denmark can support the continued work of WHO in the rapid and effective response to slow down health crises before they get out of control. The International community has a joint responsibility to act together – to support China and to ensure prevention in countries with weak and vulnerable healthcare systems,” says Minister for Development Cooperation Rasmus Prehn.
“It is important that Denmark takes a co-responsibility in the global response to health crises. The current situation with COVID-19 shows the importance of quick response from WHO. The more effective the global response, the more safe is the Danish population,” says Minister of Health and Senior Citizens Magnus Heunicke.
WHO is also playing a hugely important role in ensuring appropriate preparedness measures at the global level. The Organisation is coordinating the global emergency response towards the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 and has been crucial in providing the necessary support to vulnerable countries with weak healthcare systems.
The first case of COVID-19 was found in Wuhan in the Hubei province in the Eastern part of China in December 2019. According to ECDC, the virus has causes approximately 2000 deaths and 75,000 infected cases. Approximately 99 pct. of the infected cases and 99,6 pct. of the deaths has been centered in China.
WHO continues to assess the risk of transmission in China as ‘very high’ and the risk of further regional and global transmission as ‘high’.
Denmark also supported the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies with DKK 20 million in 2018 in relation to latest outbreak of Ebola in Africa.
