Photo source: WHO Foundation
Geneva: What began as a grassroots effort by a WHO staff member has evolved into a worldwide health movement, with the World Health Organization today announcing its support for crowdfunding – the 1 Dollar 1 World initiative. This campaign encourages regions, nations, advocates, and the organization’s own personnel to rally behind the cause. The significance of this initiative is heightened by the recent withdrawal of the United States from the WHO, following the United States President Donald Trump’s executive order on January 20, 2025. By adopting this crowdfunding approach, WHO is not only enhancing community involvement but also aligning with its broader strategy to diversify funding and support its ongoing Investment Round.
Building on the achievements of the 1 Dollar 1 World campaign, WHO is set to expand and evolve the initiative to inspire greater global solidarity. In collaboration with the WHO Foundation, the organization aims to raise awareness about its vital work and engage communities around the globe.
This marks the first time WHO is utilizing its extensive infrastructure, which includes 150 country offices, in conjunction with the WHO Foundation’s outreach to bolster this grassroots movement. Since its inception in early 2025, nearly 5,000 individuals from over 140 countries have contributed to the campaign through the WHO Foundation, which was established to connect funders with impactful health initiatives that further WHO’s mission. The strong engagement reflects a widespread commitment to global health, emphasizing that this campaign transcends mere crowdfunding; it embodies a collective affirmation that health is a fundamental right, not a privilege.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighted the movement’s strength, crediting his colleague Tania Cernuschi for her inspiration in launching this initiative.
“The power of the 1 Dollar, 1 World movement comes from the people. In particular, I would like to thank my colleague Tania Cernuschi for her inspiration to launch this initiative,” said Dr Ghebreyesus. “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,” he added.
A call to action
Recent global health challenges, including pandemics and humanitarian crises, have underscored the reality that true safety is collective; no one is secure until everyone is secure. The 1 Dollar 1 World initiative offers a platform for individuals worldwide to transform their concerns into meaningful actions, demonstrating that solidarity transcends borders, much like health itself.
Tania Cernuschi, a WHO staff member who initiated this campaign, emphasized its collective ownership, stating, “This campaign started with one person, but it belongs to all of us. It’s proof that individuals can make a difference and that together, we are stronger.”
The WHO called upon the media and the public to engage with and promote this movement, highlighting that every effort—be it a donation, a social media post, or a simple conversation—contributes to the vital message that health is a universal right, not a privilege. It stressed that every individual, organization, community, and government plays a crucial role in fostering effective collaboration for health.
The 1 Dollar 1 World movement encourages everyone to contribute to global health in three straightforward ways: First, by donating through the WHO Foundation, as every dollar is significant and aids in WHO’s lifesaving initiatives globally. Second, by sharing a photo that showcases unity, using the hashtags #1Dollar1World and #HealthForAll, while linking to the donation page. Lastly, by amplifying the message and motivating others to join the cause, with further details available in the communications toolkit.
The WHO reiterated that all donations collected by the WHO Foundation through this crowdfunding initiative are directed towards lifesaving efforts worldwide, particularly focusing on initiatives at the country level. These resources are vital for implementing impactful solutions based on the decisions made by WHO’s 194 Member States, reinforcing the idea that together, we can effect real change.
– global bihari bureau
