The below is attributable to Spokesperson Jessica Jennings:
On September 27, USAID Administrator Samantha Power met with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). They discussed joint efforts to strengthen global health and health systems, including the new Financial Intermediary Fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (FIF). Administrator Power expressed the Agency’s strong support of the FIF as a new mechanism to support and incentivize countries to better prepare for pandemics. She also committed to supporting and strengthening the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, which is one of USAID’s most crucial partners in responding to disease outbreaks and other health emergencies. The Administrator and the Director-General discussed the WHO’s efforts to improve the architecture for health emergency preparedness, response, and resilience. They also discussed the pressing need for accountability and transparency in addressing sexual exploitation, abuse, and sexual harassment in the international aid system.
The Administrator and the Director-General discussed her recent visit to Pakistan following massive flooding in the country, and the ongoing response efforts to support the people impacted.
Administrator Power offered her condolences to the Director-General following the tragic death of WHO polio field surveillance officer Daniel Deng Galuak.