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Policy Updates
The Donor Tracker team regularly brings you the most important policy and funding news across issue areas in the form of Policy Updates.
Browse all updatesUK government will prioritize global health security in response to Global Health, Global Britain report
December 15, 2021 | UK, Global Health, Global Health R&D | Share this update
The UK government has officially responded to the parliamentary committee on Foreign Affairs’ recent report on ‘Global Health, Global Britain’ and its recommendations for strengthening the UK’s approach to global health security.
The UK government welcomed the report and affirmed that global health security remains a priority, noting the Prime Minister’s five-point plan to bolster international pandemic preparedness, the government’s desire to strengthen and reform the World Health Organisation (WHO) and, to ensure health systems strengthening in low-income countries.
The UK government provided a detailed response to all the recommendations made in the parliamentary report, and while it did not commit to meeting all the recommendations, many were accepted with immediate action.
Key recommendations and UK government response:
- Recommendation: Ensure that pandemic preparedness is a permanent agenda item on all future G7 and G20 meetings – While the UK government noted that the final agenda of these meetings is at the discretion of the rotating Presidency, it committed to working to ensure global health remains on the agenda in international fora;
- Recommendations: Endorse the findings of the Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPR), encourage countries to increase non-earmarked core funding, and support increased powers for the World Health Organization (WHO) to independently access countries in which an outbreak has been reported – the UK government noted that it has endorsed many of the recommendations made by the IPPR on reforming the WHO, that it would work to encourage other countries to follow its lead and increase core funding to the institution, and that it fully supports increased powers for the WHO to independently access countries when outbreaks happen;
- Recommendation: Ensure structured permanent cooperation with the EU on pandemic preparedness – the UK government highlighted that the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) set out a commitment to continue working with the EU to tackle the current COVID-19 pandemic and any future threats in addition to reiterating that the UK retained access to the EU Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) and will be able to attend meetings of the EU’s Health Security Committee (HSC) for COVID-19 response. The government also noted that its new Health Security Agency will establish a memorandum of understanding for future relations with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), providing structured cooperation;
- Recommendation: The UK government should make every effort to achieve a significant increase in the speed and number of vaccines it donates through COVAX and the UK should publish a list of all of its planned future bilateral donations to partner countries to enhance predictability – The UK government refused to commit to an increase in the number or speed of its COVID-19 vaccine donations - sticking to its original commitment to provide 100 million doses by the end of 2022. However, the government noted that 80% of the 100 million committed doses will be delivered via COVAX, which is committed to ensuring equitable distribution. The government also failed to provide a forward-looking plan for vaccine donation, noting that its bilateral donations are driven by the availability of vaccines from domestic supply, which prevents long-term forward planning. However, the UK response did include a detailed breakdown of which countries have received doses thus far; and,
- Ensure global health more broadly than just pandemic preparedness is retained as a priority and publish a new global health strategy by the end of 2021 – The UK government confirmed that global health remains a priority and noted that it published its Health Systems Strengthening Position Paper in late 2021. The government also noted that it is working on a strategic framework with the UK's Department of Health and Social Care on a cross-government approach to addressing global health, but made no commitment to publish the framework in the future.
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Sweden announces US$7.7 million in additional humanitarian assistance to Lebanon
April 20, 2026 | Sweden | Share this update
On April 20, 2026, Sweden announced an additional SEK70 million (US$7.7 million) in humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, bringing Sweden's total targeted humanitarian assistance to Lebanon to SEK135 million (US$14.8 million) in 2026.
The additional funding was provided in light of the continued deterioration of Lebanon's humanitarian situation. Of the new allocation, SEK24 million (US$2.6 million) came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SEK46 million (US$5.1 million) from abbr:SIDA. Sweden had previously announced a SEK65 million (US$7.2 million) humanitarian support package on March 14, 2026, the day after the UN launched its emergency humanitarian appeal for Lebanon.
The assistance focuses on the most vulnerable, providing displaced persons with access to collective emergency housing, hot meals, emergency medical care, and psychosocial support. The funding complements Sweden's core support to the International Red Cross Movement and several abbr:UN organizations operating in Lebanon.
Norway announces US$11 million in budgetary support for Palestine
April 20, 2026 | Norway | Share this update
On April 20, 2026, Norway announced NOK100 million (US$11 million) in budget support to Palestine to help maintain basic public services, including education, and ensure the payment of salaries to government employees.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide made the announcement during a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in Brussels, where Eide also chaired a meeting of the Palestine Aid and Liaison Group together with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. The budget support comes amid an acute economic crisis in Palestine, exacerbated by movement restrictions and violence, which have severely strained public finances and forced drastic cuts to the state budget, leaving public employees including teachers, health workers, and police receiving only partial salaries.
Norway stated that budget support would help provide financial stability and ensure the Palestinian population continued to receive health care and education, while calling on other countries to contribute. Norway's planned support to Palestine, including to Palestinian refugees, will be approximately NOK1 billion (US$110 million) in 2026.
Sweden announces US$1.7 million to preserve Ukrainian democracy and cultural heritage
April 20, 2026 | Sweden | Share this update
On April 20, 2026, Sweden announced a new support package of SEK15.4 million (US$1.7 million) for 2026–2028 focused on democracy and cultural heritage preservation in Ukraine.
Of the total, SEK8.7 million (US$1.0 million) was allocated for 2026. The democracy support component included SEK3 million (US$330,000) to the National Democratic Institute, SEK900,000 (US$99,000) to the Council of Europe, and SEK1.5 million (US$165,000) to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights for 2026. The cultural heritage component included SEK10 million (US$1.1 million) to Gotlands Museum for 2026–2028.
Sweden stated the package built on its long-term efforts to strengthen Ukraine's resilience and democratic development.
Canada announces US$4 million in humanitarian assistance for Cuba
April 17, 2026 | Canada | Share this update
On April 17, 2026, Canada announced CAD5.5 million (US$4 million) in humanitarian assistance to address the ongoing economic and energy crisis in Cuba, with funding allocated to PAHO and WFP
Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand and Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai announced the funding on behalf of Global Affairs Canada. Cuba has faced a deepening humanitarian crisis marked by repeated nationwide power grid failures, prolonged blackouts, and acute fuel shortages, severely disrupting access to food, clean water, and health care.
Of the total, CAD5 million (US$3.6 million) was allocated to PAHO to improve access to essential health services, critical medicines, and medical supplies, as well as to strengthen supply chains and support primary health care facilities and referral hospitals. The remaining CAD500,000 (US$365,000) was allocated to WFP to provide food assistance and support essential logistics and fuel needs for the humanitarian response.
Donors commit more than US$800 million to the Global Financing Facility
April 16, 2026 | Germany, Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Global Health | Share this update
On April 16, 2026, the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents announced new funding commitments totaling US$806 million from governments and philanthropic partners to support its TRANSFORM 2030 strategy, a five-year plan to accelerate reductions in preventable maternal and child deaths.
The announcements were made on the sidelines of the World Bank Group-International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings in Washington, DC. The commitments represent more than 80% of the GFF's fundraising goal of US$1 billion by the end of 2026, with additional pledges expected in the coming months.
Commitments announced included:
- CAD190 million (US$139 million) from the Government of Canada;
- EUR45 million (US$53 million) from the Government of Germany;
- US$186 million from the Government of the Netherlands;
- NOK600 million (US$66 million) from the Government of Norway;
- US$150 million from the Children's Investment Fund Foundation;
- US$200 million from the Gates Foundation; and
- US$15 million from the Laerdal Scale Up Fund.
Philanthropic and private sector commitments included US$250 million for the newly launched Sustainable Commodities Access Program, designed to incentivize countries to expand access to high-quality commodities and address supply chain bottlenecks, and US$15 million for a new innovations challenge program to scale up the Safer Births Bundle of Care in 10 countries.
Canada announces US$88 million in humanitarian assistance for Sudan
April 15, 2026 | Canada | Share this update
On April 15, 2026, Canada announced more than CAD120 million (US$88 million) in new funding to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and neighboring countries, including humanitarian assistance, development funding, and peace and stabilization support.
Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai made the announcement at the International Sudan Conference in Berlin, Germany. Sudan has faced a deepening humanitarian crisis driven by a civil war that began in 2023, resulting in the largest human displacement crisis in the world, widespread sexual violence, famine, and the collapse of basic services.
Canada's contribution included more than CAD94 million (US$69 million) in humanitarian assistance in 2026, delivered through partners to provide emergency food and nutrition, health care, protection, shelter, and water and sanitation to vulnerable people affected by the crisis in Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad.
An additional CAD25 million (US$18 million) was allocated to development assistance, including CAD18 million (US$13 million) to Save the Children Canada to deliver education for more than 60,000 children and protect children from violence, exploitation, and trauma, and CAD7 million (US$5 million) to the UN Population Fund to expand sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response services across Sudan, including in Darfur and Kordofan. Canada also allocated CAD1.25 million (US$912,000) to expand peace and stabilization efforts, including civilian-led initiatives.
EU announces US$812 million Global Fund pledge plus further support for global health security
April 7, 2026 | EUI, Global Health | Share this update
At the One Health Summit in Lyon, France, on April 7, 2026, the European Commission announced plans to pledge EUR700 million (US$812 million) to the Global Fund's 8th replenishment, EUR46.5 million (US$54 million) to strengthen health security in Africa and Europe, and EUR50 million (US$58 million) in research and development for AMR and neglected tropical diseases.
Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela made the announcements under the scope of the new Global Health Resilience Initiative, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in the 2025 State of the Union address.
Of the Global Fund pledge, EUR185 million (US$215 million) will be immediately available under the current long-term budget, with country-level grants implemented from 2027 to 2029. Team Europe, comprising the Commission and EU Member States, pledged more than EUR3 billion (US$3.5 billion) in total to the 8th replenishment, representing around one third of all donor contributions since the Global Fund's creation in 2002.
The EUR46.5 million (US$54 million) health security investment aims to strengthen the One Health workforce, AMR surveillance, prevention, and control, and laboratory capacity across Africa over five years, in partnership with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and other agencies.
Of the EUR50 million (US$58 million) in research and development funding, EUR30 million (US$35 million), managed by KfW, supported the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator and the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership, while EUR20 million (US$23 million) was contributed to AFD for implementation by DNDi to develop dengue medical treatments.
Canada announces US$37 million across six projects for Ukraine
April 3, 2026 | Canada | Share this update
During an April 3, 2026 visit to Ukraine, Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai announced CAD51 million (US$37 million) in new funding across six projects targeting humanitarian assistance, democratic governance, veterans' support, and EU accession reforms. The projects are as follows:
- 2026 Humanitarian Assistance (CAD32 million/US$23 million): funding to multiple partners — including the Adventist Development and Relief Agency Canada, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada, HelpAge Canada, the International Medical Corps, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and its Country-Based Pooled Fund (Ukraine Humanitarian Fund), the ICRC, the UNHCR, and the WFP — to address urgent humanitarian needs, including emergency health care, shelter, water, sanitation, and food;
- FAIR-UA: Foundations for Accountable, Inclusive and Resilient Elections (CAD6 million/US$4 million, 2026-2029): support for credible, inclusive post-war elections in Ukraine, including strengthening the Central Election Commission of Ukraine, delivering voter education, countering disinformation, and supporting civil society oversight of electoral processes;
- Ukraine Ministry of Veterans Affairs Institutional Strengthening (CAD5 million/US$4 million, 2026-2029): capacity-building for the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine to coordinate programs and services for veterans and their families;
- Supporting Inclusive Recovery and EU Accession of Ukraine (CAD5 million/US$4 million, 2026-2031): support for national governance reforms aligned with EU accession requirements and inclusive recovery policies;
- Mobile Service Delivery for Conflict-Affected Populations in Eastern Ukraine (additional CAD2 million/US$1 million, 2019-2026): additional funding to an existing project, bringing total Canadian support to CAD19 million (US$14 million), to improve access to basic public services for war-affected populations, including women, older persons, people with disabilities, and internally displaced persons; and
- Supporting Inclusive Grassroots Democracy in Ukraine (additional CAD1 million/US$1 million, 2018-2027): additional funding to an existing project, bringing total Canadian support to CAD13 million (US$9 million), to strengthen grassroots democratic movements and inclusive governance during wartime and into early recovery.
Ireland announces largest funding package for Ukraine with US$46 million contribution
April 1, 2026 | Ireland | Share this update
On April 1, 2026, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs announced EUR40 million (US$46 million) in humanitarian and development assistance to Ukraine in 2026, Ireland's largest funding package for the country since Russia's invasion in 2022. The latest funding package brings Ireland's 2026 support to Ukraine to EUR65 million (US$74 million.)
The new funding builds upon EUR25 million (US$28 million) announced in February 2026 to repair critical energy infrastructure. The 2026 total of EUR65 million (US$74 million) represents a significant increase on the EUR35 million (US$40 million) provided by Ireland in 2025.
The EUR40 million (US$46 million) package includes EUR26 million (US$29 million) in humanitarian assistance and EUR14 million (US$16 million) in long-term development and peacebuilding support. Additionally, EUR2 million (US$2 million) has been allocated to Moldova to address challenges related to the war in Ukraine. Funding was delivered through UN agencies and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which will provide emergency shelter, medical care, maternal healthcare, and essential support to people in frontline areas and children.
Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee made the announcement during an official visit to Ukraine, where she met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond noted that Ukraine would be a priority during Ireland's upcoming EU Presidency.
Germany announces US$204 support package for Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine
March 31, 2026 | Germany | Share this update
On March 31, 2026, German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan announced a EUR177 million (US$204 million) support package for Jordan, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Territories.
Alabali Radovan announced the package during a visit to Jordan, citing the impact of the war with Iran on the region, including direct attacks, displacement, rising prices, and closed border crossings. Part of the funding was already earmarked for the region, with the remainder drawn from reallocations within the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development's budget. The package is allocated as follows:
- Jordan (EUR50 million/US$58 million): support for Syrian refugees, including teachers' salaries to enable Syrian children to attend school, employment projects in waste and recycling management, and vocational training to support return to Syria and reconstruction;
- Palestinian Territories (EUR30 million/US$35 million): EUR10 million (US$11.5 million) will be used for additional housing beyond the 1,500 temporary dwellings already financed in Gaza, another EUR10 million (US$11.5 million) will be used to to promote employment in the West Bank, and additional funds for vocational training for young people and local food production; and
- Lebanon (EUR75 million/US$86 million): support for approximately one million internally displaced persons, including cash-for-work programs and learning materials for children to participate in distance learning.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development also committed EUR22 million (US$25 million) in additional support for a planned seawater desalination plant on the Red Sea.
Disclaimer
US$ amounts are cited directly from sources; in the absence of an official conversion, they are calculated using the previous week's average of the US Federal Reserve's daily exchange rates.
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an initiative by SEEK Development