Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE)

Enabling quick action to save lives

 

 

About CFE

Public health emergencies are increasing and can escalate rapidly within and beyond borders. The ability to respond quickly can make the difference between mitigating impact and minimizing loss of life or seeing health emergencies spiral out of control, inflicting a heavy humanitarian toll on people’s lives and well-being.

WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) was created to save time, resources and lives by enabling WHO to respond rapidly to disease outbreaks and health emergencies, often in 24 hours or less.
 

Highlights

WHO staff walking through a village in Faichuuk region

Contingency Fund for Emergencies – Mid-year update 2026

17 July 2026 | WHO released more than US$ 10 million from the CFE to address the health consequences of 12 emergencies.

Rescuers on a collapsed building

PAHO mobilizes emergency health response following earthquakes in Venezuela

25 June 2026 | US$1.5 million released from the CFE for the immediate health response.

Emergency health supplies for Myanmar Earthquake

Contingency fund for emergencies: 2025 annual report

26 May 2026 | In 2025, the CFE enabled WHO to release nearly US$ 30 million for 24 emergencies in 40 countries.

 

Contributions in 2026

 

ContributorAmount US$
Norway5 390 836
Canada2 450 326
Ireland2 341 920
Germany2 325 581
Anonymous contributor1 996 978
France1 700 000*
United Kingdom1 336 898
Rep. of Korea600 000
Kuwait500 000
UN Foundation357 321
Luxembourg171 000*
Portugal117 371
Philippines100 000
Estonia17 544
Total (as at 26 August 2026)US$ 19 405 775
* Pledge

 

Recent allocations

Haiti

Diphtheria outbreak | US$ 35 000
17 August 2026

Key activities

Surveillance, outbreak investigation and public health intelligence; laboratory diagnostics and specimen transport; clinical care and case management, including provision of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT); logistics, procurement and distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies; infection prevention and control (IPC); vaccination and immunization support; community-based surveillance and case detection; health worker training and supportive supervision; and coordination of outbreak response and rapid response mechanisms.

Show less Show more

Myanmar

Humanitarian crisis | US$ 700 000
17 August 2026

Key activities

Coordination, planning, management and advocacy; surveillance, laboratory strengthening and public health intelligence; outbreak investigation and rapid response; risk communication and community engagement (RCCE); essential health services through fixed and mobile delivery platforms; clinical capacity building and emergency referral systems; mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS); prevention and control of outbreak-prone diseases, including vaccination, WASH and vector control measures; procurement and delivery of essential medicines, diagnostics and laboratory supplies; and logistics, warehousing and last-mile distribution of health commodities through border-based assistance.

Show less Show more

Central African Republic

Cholera outbreak | US$ 110 000
22 July 2026

Key activities

Coordination, planning, monitoring and information management; surveillance, laboratory and public health intelligence; clinical care and case management; logistics and emergency supplies; risk communication and community engagement (RCCE); water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions; community-based surveillance and outreach; and prevention of and response to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PRSEAH).

Show less Show more

Annual reports

All →
Contingency fund for emergencies: 2024 annual report

The Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) enables the World Health Organization (WHO) to leverage its unique strengths in emergencies, empowering WHO...

Contingency fund for emergencies: 2023 annual report

The Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) provides WHO with rapid and flexible resources to respond to disease outbreaks and other health emergencies....

Contingency fund for emergencies: 2022 annual report

The Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) provides WHO with rapid and flexible resources to respond to disease outbreaks and other health emergencies....

Contingency Fund for Emergencies: 2021 Annual Report

The Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) provides WHO with rapid and flexible resources to respond to disease outbreaks and other health emergencies....

Quarterly updates

All →
Publication cover

In the first half of 2026, the CFE continued to enable WHO to respond rapidly to health emergencies worldwide. WHO released more than US$...

Document cover for the CFE quarterly update July 2025.

In the first and second quarters of 2025, WHO released nearly US$ 19 million from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) to provide life-saving...

News

All →
WHO logo on front door of headquarters

Epidemic of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda declared global emergency

17 May 2026 | WHO has released US$ 500 000 from the CFE to support the government-led response.

Blue banner with the word "Marburg"

Ethiopia declares end of first-ever Marburg virus disease outbreak

26 January 2026 | Rapid funding from CFE enabled WHO to support government response at the start of the outbreak.

Man crouches over pool of water with a magnifying glass

Around 1.3 million people affected by severe flooding in Southern Africa

23 January 2026 | US$ 470 000 released from the CFE to support emergency health response efforts.

Man crossing him arms and smiling

Democratic Republic of the Congo declares end of 16th Ebola outbreak

1 December 2025 | US$ 2 million was released from the CFE to help stop the outbreak.