The World Health Organization (WHO) played a key role during the Ebola outbreak that ravaged several West African countries during much of 2015. Afterwards, the organisation was criticised for being too slow in responding and lacking in operational capacity. 

‘The World Health Organization, the countries affected and donors must apply the lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak. It is crucial that WHO quickly and decisively steps up its efforts to fight the Zika virus, which is mosquito-borne,’ said Mr Brende.

WHO has a unique position as an intergovernmental, independent and normative specialised health agency within the UN. Norway is one of the largest donors to the organisation, and provided NOK 336.5 million in support last year. 

WHO is also making a significant contribution in Syria and its neighbouring countries, and will play a key role at the donor conference that is being held in London on 4 February.