The World Health Organization South-East Asia Region has thanked Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population for contributing Rs 1.54m, approximately $11,000, to the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF), a unique funding mechanism to support member countries in the region to prepare for and respond to health emergencies.

“WHO thanks Nepal for its contribution to SEARHEF. Nepal has championed the regional health emergency fund at various forums. The country has been demonstrating great leadership in building capabilities and responding to emergencies, with many lessons for the region and the world to emulate,” said Saima Wazed, WHO regional director for South-East Asia, in a letter addressed to Health Minister Pradip Paudel.

Nepal’s contribution is a testament to its support, ownership and commitment to SEARHEF, which is transparently managed by WHO for member countries of the region.

Established in 2007 as part of lessons learnt after the Indian Ocean tsunami that hit multiple countries in the region, SEARHEF was set up with the aim to fund immediate health sector response during health emergencies, which is critical to save lives.

Till date, the SEARHEF has supported 49 emergencies across 10 countries with disbursements over $8m.

The scope of SEARHEF was expanded in 2016 to include emergency preparedness, with three countries using this funding mechanism to strengthen their health emergency operations centres and rapid response teams.

Prone to natural disasters, Nepal has utilized SEARHEF for responding to Koshi floods in 2008 and the earthquakes in 2015 and 2023. The funds were used for coordinating health response to provide life-saving services and minimize disabilities through deployment of medical teams; prevent and respond to impending outbreaks; and support continuity of essential health services through establishment of temporary healthcare facilities.

Recognizing the critical role played by SEARHEF in public health response in the region, at the annual governing body meeting of WHO South-East Asia Region in October 2024, the member countries agreed to increase the corpus of the fund from $1m to $3m.

 

Nepal is the fourth country, after Thailand, India and Timor-Leste, to contribute to the enhanced corpus of SEARHEF. The WHO regional director said the health organization stands committed to supporting member countries to build resilient health systems that are well prepared for responding to public health emergencies of any magnitude.