Frequently Asked Questions

The escalating crisis in Ukraine has seen casualties and injuries rising and people forced to flee, severely reducing the capacity of health systems to cope with people wounded and others in need of urgent health care. Humanitarian health support is needed to tackle the shortfall in life-saving medicines and supplies including medical oxygen, intensive care unit beds, and to support the healthcare workforce.

The humanitarian situation has already seen large numbers of refugees crossing into neighboring countries including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. As the crisis evolves the numbers of refugees and displaced populations are expected to increase. A large- scale emergency response is crucial to support the needs of people in Ukraine and refugees in nearby countries.

Urgent funding is needed to support health services to treat those wounded, provide vital care for patients with COVID-19 and other pathologies such as cancer, HIV and tuberculosis, maternal to mental health issues. Migrants, older people and refugees are in a particularly vulnerable situation. Support will help expand the capacity of emergency medical teams to respond to the growing needs of the population in this evolving humanitarian health crisis.

Visit WHO webpage for more information

WHO is working to ensure that the Ukrainian population has access to essential care for all health issues, including other pathologies preexisting the war: COVID-19 to cancer, HIV and tuberculosis, maternal care to mental health issues, especially for migrants, older people and refugees.

WHO has for decades worked closely with health authorities across Ukraine. Their deep knowledge of the capacities and needs of the country’s health system allows them to better support where needs are the greatest. On the first day of the conflict (the 24th of February 2022), WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus released US$3.5 million from WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) to purchase and deliver urgent medical supplies. The humanitarian health support is expected to rise following further needs assessments.

As an individual or a company, you can help provide vital needs to the Ukrainian population thanks to your contributions. Your donation can be made from anywhere in the world. Tax-effective donations are available for contributors based in Switzerland, Luxembourg, the United States, Canada, and Germany.

If you are based in the United Kingdom, you can make a tax-effective donation via our trusted partner CAF UK. Online donations for CAF account holders can be done here.

If you are based in one of the European countries Member of the Transnational Giving Europe Network (TGE), you can make a tax-effective donation here.

Your contribution counts!

Individual contributions can be made on the page WHO Health emergency appeal for Ukraine, powered by WHOF.

If you are a company interested in making a corporate donation or in engaging its employees via a matching gift initiative, please contact l.brackenridge@who.foundation

If you would like to donate via wire transfer, please find below the bank information of the WHO Foundation:

Legal Name: Foundation in Support of the World Health Organization (WHO)
Foundation Address: Foundation in support of WHO, Chem. des Mines 2, 1202 Genève, Switzerland
Bank Address: Rue du Lion-d’Or 5-7, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland
CHF Account: IBAN CH78 0483 5229 8768 1100 1
EUR Account: IBAN CH60 0483 5229 8768 1200 4
USD Account: IBAN CH33 0483 5229 8768 1200 5

According to its gift acceptance policy, all donors shall not have interests in the arms and tobacco industry. By giving by wire transfer you fully agree with the following statement:
“I certify that I am neither employed in, nor possess a significant financial interest in the arms or tobacco industry or listed on the UN sanctions list. Direct donations from governments and their agencies, as well as donations from entities and individuals affiliated with the arms or tobacco industries, or mentioned on UN sanctions lists, cannot be accepted and will be returned if received.”

If you wish to donate an amount equal to or higher than $10’000 USD, please contact e.hulme@who.foundation. You will be requested to give us your name, surname, place or residence and date of birth and sign an Arms & Tobacco disclosure statement. If you donate with the IBAN an amount equal or higher than $10’000 USD and we are unable to reach you or have the Arms & Tobacco statement signed, your generous donation will unfortunately be returned.

Please note that the WHO Foundation cannot accept checks.

The Emergency Appeal – powered by WHO Foundation – raises funds for WHO’s frontline response to deliver life-saving medicines and supplies. Your contribution will go directly to deliver urgent healthcare to people across Ukraine and refugees in neighboring countries affected by this crisis.

Visit WHO webpage for more information on the activities led by WHO’s frontline response.

Established in 2020 as an independent entity, the WHO Foundation complements and strengthens the work of WHO and its global network of partners by mobilizing new funding from diverse sources—including corporations and the general public—to power WHO’s mission. By addressing the world’s most urgent health issues in a new, transformative, catalytic way, the WHO Foundation aims to provide everyone, everywhere, a healthier, more equitable future.

By making a donation, your company can join WHO Foundation as a Health Emergency Partner to demonstrate your values and commitment to improving health and well-being in emergency situations around the world. WHO Foundation has various private sector donor recognition and partnerships opportunities available for your company. For more information, please reach out to: COVID19response@who.foundation.

The WHO Foundation does not request bank details or any such sensitive information by email. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of any communication regarding the WHO Foundation, please contact us at info@who.foundation

WHO Foundation, general enquiries & donations:
ukraine-emergency-appeal@who.foundation

Corporate donations:
l.brackenridge@who.foundation

High Net Worth Individuals donations:
e.hulme@who.foundation

Media enquiries:
media@who.foundation