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The World Health Organization (WHO) and its Member States on Thursday discussed expanding and strengthening the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to ensure countries can rapidly access financial support during disease outbreaks, climate-related disasters and other public health emergencies.
The issue was discussed at the Fifteenth Meeting of the Working Group on the Governance of SEARHEF, held virtually by the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia.
“Health emergencies are becoming more frequent, more complex and more costly. Countries need rapid, flexible financing that can be mobilised immediately when lives are at risk,” said Catharina Boehme.
She described SEARHEF as a symbol of regional solidarity that enables Member States to support one another during health crises.
Established in 2008 following the Indian Ocean tsunami, SEARHEF has become the region’s primary emergency financing mechanism. Since its inception, the fund has supported 51 health emergencies across 10 Member States, disbursing more than US$8.2 million for emergency response and preparedness initiatives.
The fund has also helped strengthen emergency operations centres, rapid response teams and regional emergency stockpiles across South-East Asia.
During the meeting, representatives of WHO and Member States reviewed the fund’s performance and discussed a new resource mobilisation strategy aimed at ensuring its long-term financial sustainability.
The proposed strategy includes expanding the donor base by increasing engagement with philanthropic organisations, development partners and the private sector, while also encouraging in-kind contributions by leveraging the region’s manufacturing capacity, logistics networks and technical expertise.
The recommendations of the working group will be presented for further consideration at the 79th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, scheduled to be held in September.
WHO said strengthening SEARHEF forms part of broader efforts to enhance regional health emergency preparedness and ensure countries have timely access to financial and operational support to respond quickly to future crises and protect lives.
