The WHO is “irreplaceable” and needs enhanced resources especially to provide support to the developing countries facing the “devastating” impact of Covid-19, UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Monday, amid criticism of the global health agency’s handling of the pandemic.
The Secretary-General said the entire United Nations family “stands” with thousands of its colleagues at the World Health Organisation (WHO) who are working around the world to support the member states in saving lives and protecting the vulnerable, with guidance, training and essential testing, treatment and protective equipment.
Guterres also voiced concern over the “devastating” impact the outbreak will have as it spreads across the developing nations. “The WHO is irreplaceable. It needs enhanced resources, particularly to provide support to developing countries, which must be our greatest concern. We are as strong as the weakest health systems,” Guterres said while addressing a virtual event of the opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly, which supervises the WHO.
The US has strongly criticised the WHO for its handling of the pandemic, with President Donald Trump halting funding to the WHO. Trump had launched a scathing attack on the Geneva-based WHO, saying it has been “China-centric” and has been “wrong” on a lot of things about the virus.
Guterres reiterated his comments made last month following Trump’s attack and said there will be a time, once the pandemic has been controlled, to look back fully to understand how such a disease emerged and spread its devastation so quickly across the globe, and how all those involved reacted to the crisis. The UN Chief emphasised that “now is not that time” and now is the time for unity, for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its shattering consequences.”