HQ Team
February 26, 2025: The World Health Organization is crowdsourcing to fund its health programmes by urging individuals globally to donate to the ‘1 Dollar 1 World movement’ initiative.
“The campaign is not just about crowdfunding – it’s about people standing together to remind us that health is a right, not a privilege,” according to a statement from the global health agency.
The appeal comes at a time when the new US administration has threatened to pull out of the WHO and USAID has been told to curtail its funds.
“The power of the 1 Dollar, 1 World movement comes from the people,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It shows that in times of crisis, people everywhere can unite and commit to protecting and promoting the health of others. WHO is proud to stand behind this initiative, which embodies the values of solidarity, action, innovation and hope.”
WHO Foundation
For the first time, WHO is activating its existing infrastructure — spanning 150 country offices — alongside the WHO Foundation’s reach, to amplify this grassroots movement.
“This strategic shift not only strengthens community engagement but also aligns with WHO’s broader strategy to diversify funding sources and support its ongoing Investment Round,” according to the statement.
Since its launch in early 2025, almost 5,000 people from over 140 countries have contributed to the campaign through the WHO Foundation, created to bring together funders and high impact health initiatives to further the mission of WHO.
The high level of success and engagement demonstrates that there is a broad sense of solidarity and shared commitment to global health, according to the WHO.
Solidarity knows no borders
The challenges global health has faced in recent years – from pandemics to humanitarian crises – make it clearer than ever that no one is safe until everyone is safe. The 1 Dollar 1 World movement is a chance for people everywhere to turn concern into action and show that solidarity, just like health, knows no borders, the WHO stated.
“This campaign started with one person, but it belongs to all of us,” said Tania Cernuschi, the WHO staff member who launched the original initiative. “It’s proof that individuals can make a difference, and that together, we are stronger.”
The ‘1 Dollar 1 World Movement’ started as a grassroots initiative and since then, it has grown into a global movement for health.
