WHO risks paralysis due to funding shortage - Ryan

FILE PHOTO: World Health Organization logo is reflected in a drop on a syringe needle in this illustration photo taken March 16, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) is mired in a funding shortage that is already hampering operations, its top emergency expert told health ministers on Tuesday.

Mike Ryan, noting the WHO's appeal in February for $1.96 billion for its pandemic response this year, told the annual assembly: "The funding shortfall of more than 70% when only received funds are considered has left the organisation in real imminent danger of being unable to sustain core functions for urgent priorities."