The below is attributable to Spokesperson Jessica Jennings:
On April 18, Administrator Samantha Power met with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to discuss U.S. priorities for next month’s 77th World Health Assembly. The Administrator raised the importance of WHO continuing to strengthen mechanisms around preventing and responding to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, as well as the importance of addressing lead poisoning globally. She also expressed USAID’s strong commitment to supporting and strengthening pandemic preparedness and response.
The two discussed the importance of continued attention to health needs, in addition to nutrition and psychosocial support, within humanitarian crises, including Gaza. Both the Administrator and the Director-General expressed a desire to build on existing progress and to continue close collaboration between USAID and WHO to strengthen global efforts to protect public health.