WHO Employee Starts Crowdfunding Campaign Following Trump’s Exit Order

The “1 Dollar, 1 World” campaign encourages individuals worldwide to donate $1 to help mitigate the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). This initiative was launched by a WHO staff member as a grassroots effort to maintain funding for critical global health programs.

A Personal Initiative Born from Frustration

Tania Cernuschi, a WHO staffer with a decade of experience in improving vaccine access, conceived the campaign after struggling to sleep following Trump’s announcement. She described her emotions as a mix of frustration and disappointment, noting that the withdrawal of U.S. funds could have life-threatening consequences for global health efforts.

How the Campaign Works

The “1 Dollar, 1 World” initiative urges people across the globe to contribute one dollar to WHO and post a photo of themselves on social media with their index finger raised. The goal is to mobilize small donations that collectively could fill the funding gap left by the U.S. government’s exit.

Targeting a $1 Billion Fundraising Goal

Cernuschi has set an ambitious goal of raising $1 billion, which aligns with the average amount the U.S. contributes to WHO every two years. However, since its launch last week, the campaign has only managed to raise approximately $58,000—far from the target but still an early step toward broader global participation.

Support from WHO Officials and Global Donors

Many of the initial donations have come from senior WHO staff, including epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove, a well-known public figure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contributions have also come from individuals in wealthier nations such as Switzerland and the United States.

Despite this, global health consultant Tina Purnat cautioned that the campaign might be perceived as WHO employees attempting to safeguard their own programs and salaries. Responding to this concern, Cernuschi emphasized that WHO staff members work for the benefit of people in underserved regions, not for personal financial security.

Backed by WHO Leadership

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has publicly supported the campaign, commending Cernuschi’s efforts. “I’m proud of her. All the staff are saying we are part of the solution,” he told Reuters. His endorsement highlights the importance of securing alternative funding to sustain WHO’s life-saving programs.

Expanding Global Participation

Initially, the bulk of donations came from higher-income countries. However, the campaign is now seeing contributions from individuals in Ukraine, India, and several African nations. Cernuschi shared a particularly moving message from an Indian donor, who reassured her by saying, “You have an army behind you.” This statement reinforced her belief in the global community’s commitment to supporting WHO.

Conclusion

The “1 Dollar, 1 World” campaign symbolizes a collective effort to protect global health funding in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from WHO. While it has a long way to go to meet its billion-dollar target, the campaign is gaining momentum and drawing attention to the importance of sustained financial support for WHO’s initiatives. With growing international participation and support from WHO leadership, the initiative may help bridge the funding gap and ensure continued progress in global health.