Budget allocations for implementing a joint project with the WHO on further strengthening capability in emergency medical services readiness and response

In 2017-2018, a new project will be implemented to further strengthen the WHO’s capability in emergency medical services readiness and response. This project is expected to last for two years, and provides for the allocation to the WHO of $3.5 million as a targeted voluntary contribution with a view to further enhancing WHO medical logistics capabilities and ensuring emergency response and training. The WHO will use these funds to purchase various medical modules and build up stocks at UN humanitarian warehouses. Aid receivers (the government or health ministry of the affected country) will be designated by Russia. The delivered medical modules shall bear Russian labels. The Russian embassies in aid receiving countries will take part in the delivery of medical modules to the local authorities. The funding to this effect has been factored in the federal budget for 2017 and 2018-2019 planning period.

Reference

Submitted by the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief of the Russian Federation.

In accordance with the Concept of the Russian Federation’s State Policy in the Area of International Development Assistance (approved by Presidential Executive Order No. 259 dated 20 April 2014, hereinafter the “Concept”), one of the state policy objectives in this area is to provide assistance in relief efforts following natural disasters, industrial accidents and other emergencies.

Specifically, the Concept provides for the payment of contributions to the international agencies of the United Nations and other international organisations and financial institutions, international and global funds.

As part of efforts to implement this Concept, as well as the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation (approved by Presidential Executive Order No. 640 dated 30 November 2016), the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief of the Russian Federation cooperates with the World Health Organisation (hereinafter, the “WHO”), coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, in areas related to improving emergency readiness and response and delivering aid to the affected countries in the aftermath of disasters and crises.

In 2012-2016, a project was carried out to enhance WHO’s capability in terms of emergency medical readiness and response, as well as support national healthcare in disaster and crisis situations.

In 2017-2018, a new joint project is expected to be carried out to further enhance WHO’s capability in emergency medical readiness and response. This project will run for two years, and provides for the allocation to the WHO of a targeted voluntary contribution equal to $3.5 million ($2.5 million in 2017 and $1 million in 2018) for further improving WHO’s medical logistics, emergency response capability and training.

The funds for the new joint project with the WHO have been factored in the federal budget for 2017 and the 2018-2019 planning period. The relevant budget allocations will be directed to these aims as per the signed directive.

The WHO will use these funds to purchase various medical modules and build up stocks at UN humanitarian warehouses.

Aid receivers (the government or health ministry of the affected country) will be designated by Russia. The delivered medical modules shall bear Russian labels. The Russian embassies in aid receiving countries will take part in the delivery of medical modules to the local authorities.

The adopted decision will help Russia deliver on the objectives of the state programmes ‘Foreign Policy’ and ‘Managing state finances and regulating financial markets.’