The same day that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that he suspended the US funding of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Government of Finland responded with a completely opposite decision.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Finnish Government announced on a press release that "the Government jointly decided today to restore its funding for the World Health Organization to the 2015 level, which was 5.5 million euros."
"In line with the resolution, the voluntary funding, which was discontinued in 2016, will be restored to the 2015 level of 5.5 million euros," the Government clarified.
The decision will have no effect Finland’s assessed contribution to the WHO or other membership-based contributions paid to WHO subordinate bodies, nor will it affect the 1 million euros in funding granted this year to the WHO’s Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.
Basic and Covid-19 contributions
According to Government figures, Finland’s basic contribution to the WHO last year was 1.9 million euros and it provided 0.75 million euros in programme support. In addition, the country made other membership-based contributions to WHO bodies totalling 0.9 million euros.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for Finland’s contributions.
This year, the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has also granted 1 million euros in funding to the WHO’s COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.
Leading the global effort
Finnish Government says the WHO is leading the global effort to prepare for and respond to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finland is Vice-Chair of the Executive Board of the WHO and supports a strong WHO.
"Global problems can best be solved by working together. Finland therefore advocates consistently on behalf of a more effective and stronger multilateral order. This is also a key objective of the Government Programme," the Government said on its release.
