Donors making a difference

Vaccines go to Somalia's people on the move

Somalia welcomes a shipment of COVID-19 vaccines. ©UNSOM/Mukhtar Nuur

The United States government this month donated 336 500 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to Somalia, where it is being administered to nomads, internally displaced people, refugees and others whose circumstances make it difficult to connect with healthcare.

"This was the first time I had ever received a vaccine for my health," said Ibrahim Mohamed Ali, who lives at a camp for internally displaced people in the country's southwest. "I am so thankful to the ministry of health, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and all donors who have made the effort to support me and other Somalis to keep safe from COVID-19."

Somalia is one of many countries that has had poor access to COVID-19 vaccines, with less than 4 percent of the population vaccinated as of November. Dose donations from the United States will help the country make progress toward global vaccination targets.

Despite the pandemic, Rohingya camps maintain TB services

Aminul Jamman received high-quality testing and treatment in the refugee camp where he lives, thanks to donor support.©WHO Bangladesh/Irene Gavieiro Agud

Aminul Jamman was recently cured of tuberculosis inside a Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. He is one of many Rohingya to receive vital healthcare services because of the donations and efforts of WHO and its partners.

"The fight against tuberculosis must not be forgotten in the COVID-19 outbreak," said Dr Barden Jung Rana, WHO representative to Bangladesh. "Community engagement sessions for TB awareness were adjusted to the pandemic scenario … to ensure prevention and care services to the vulnerable populations of Cox's Bazar."

The Cox's Bazar Rohingya camps have eight TB laboratories and two mobile vans equipped with high-tech GeneXpert diagnostic equipment. Supporters include the National Tuberculosis Control Programme of Bangladesh and WHO, along with civil society, BRAC and other NGOs.

Two-day campaign vaccinates hundreds of vulnerable people in Manila

This month in Manila, a university gymnasium was turned into a community vaccination centre for the homeless and other vulnerable people. By the end of a two-day campaign, more than 600 people had received their COVID-19 jabs, along with meals, transportation, childcare and other health services.

"This vaccination drive is a huge relief for us, especially since the vaccines are free. We hope that everyone gets vaccinated," said Robert, a homeless man with diabetes.

The vaccine drive is part of a wider effort to create government-civil society partnerships to make sure vaccines reach homeless people. Organizers included the Philippine Department of Health, Quezon City Health Department, Commission on Human Rights, WHO, UNFPA Philippines, Australian Aid, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, and Kalinga Foundation.

Lao migrant workers receive COVID-19 testing and quarantine services

In In Lao People's Democratic Republic, a returning migrant worker is screened for COVID-19.

Thousands of migrant workers returning to Lao People's Democratic Republic are receiving COVID-19 screening and quarantine services so that they can safely reintegrate into the country. The European Union, WHO and other partners are working alongside the country's government to provide the necessary support to hospitals, isolation facilities and quarantine centres.

"Ensuring that returning migrant workers can quarantine safely is a priority to protect these vulnerable communities," Dr Jun Gao, WHO officer-in-charge, Lao PDR.

Temporary quarantine centres at sports centres, factories and schools are staffed by healthcare workers, police officers, military personnel, medical students and volunteers. Returning workers who test positive but have mild or no symptoms stay in isolation facilities, while those who test negative go to 14-day quarantine centres.

Iran erects health centres for waves of Afghan refugees

A boy waits in line at a health centre for Afghan refugees in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Support from WHO and UNHCR is bringing COVID-19 vaccinations and other healthcare to Afghan refugees in the Islamic Republic of Iran. A health centre in Sharafabad, a densely Afghan-populated district in Kerman province, is serving up to 500 Afghan nationals every day, without regard to their legal status. Plans are under way to scale up that support to accommodate a growing influx of Afghan refugees.

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Learn how WHO supports countries around the world in strengthening their health systems to deliver health for all through a primary healthcare approach.

Partners and donors recognized in this feature are Australian Aid, the European Union, United States of America, UNFPA, UNHCR, and UNICEF.

WHO thanks all governments, organizations and individuals contributing to the COVID-19 response around the world since the beginning of the outbreak, and in particular those who have provided fully flexible contributions, to ensure a comprehensive fight against the disease.

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Member States and other governments in 2021:

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Comoros, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lesotho, Malta, Mauritania, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America.

Other partners in 2021:

African Development Bank Group, African Reinsurance Corporation, Asian Development Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), China Medical Board, COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, European Commission (ECHO, NEAR, DG-INTPA), Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Gavi-The Vaccine Alliance, International Development Association (IDA), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Islamic Development Bank, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), Kuwait Fund for Development, National Philanthropic Trust (NPT), Rockefeller Foundation, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, Task Force for Global Health (TFGH), International Drug Purchasing Facility (UNITAID), United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA), Veolia Environment Foundation, Vital Strategies, World Bank.

Read more about donors and partners contributing to the COVID-19 response.

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