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The lack of funding for cholera response in Haiti is not about a shortage of funds. It's a shortage of political will. By comparison, Member States have contributed $4 billion to funding MINUSTAH since the outbreak of cholera. This is more than 10 times what is needed to fund the New Approach. |
We call on Member States to contribute their share to the New Approach to cholera. By “their share,” we mean the amount proportionate to the percentage they contribute to the UN's overall expenses annually. Why is this a fair share? Because the cholera outbreak is the collective responsibility of the UN's members: the international community, acting through MINUSTAH, started the outbreak, and the international community should remedy it. Find out your state’s share here.
There are three main ways Member States can do their part to fund the New Approach. They can be used alone or in combination, but ultimately, they all come down to one thing: political will.
There are three main ways Member States can do their part to fund the New Approach. They can be used alone or in combination, but ultimately, they all come down to one thing: political will.
1. Voluntary Contributions to the “New Approach” Trust Fund
When the Secretary-General launched the New Approach, he announced the creation of a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (“Trust Fund”). The Trust Fund provides a common financing mechanism to “ensure a coherent and coordinated UN System contribution to the overall [cholera] response.”
Money for the fund comes from voluntary Member State contributions. So far, only 9 States have given a total of USD 9.22 million in voluntary contributions. In March, Secretary-General Guterres wrote a letter seeking additional contributions, but few have been forthcoming.
Member States can ensure full funding for the New Approach and safeguard the UN's legacy in Haiti by donating their percentage share to the Trust Fund before MINUSTAH withdraws. If their voluntary contributions fall short, Member States must support including cholera in the UN's mandatory budget.
Money for the fund comes from voluntary Member State contributions. So far, only 9 States have given a total of USD 9.22 million in voluntary contributions. In March, Secretary-General Guterres wrote a letter seeking additional contributions, but few have been forthcoming.
Member States can ensure full funding for the New Approach and safeguard the UN's legacy in Haiti by donating their percentage share to the Trust Fund before MINUSTAH withdraws. If their voluntary contributions fall short, Member States must support including cholera in the UN's mandatory budget.
2. Give MINUSTAH’s Leftover Money to the Cholera Response
MINUSTAH has an extra USD 40.5 million left over in its budget. When MINUSTAH ends, the default is for the leftover money to be returned to Member States. However, Member States can waive the return of their share of that money, directing it instead to the Trust Fund.
Contributing this sum, colloquially known as “the underspend,” to the cholera response would serve as a testament to the international community’s recognition that MINUSTAH is responsible for the world’s largest cholera outbreak. It is only fitting that Member States would take this step in light of MINUSTAH’s universally recognized responsibility, rather than claw back the money MINUSTAH has left over. 40.5 million USD would not be enough, but it would be a strong start.
Contributing this sum, colloquially known as “the underspend,” to the cholera response would serve as a testament to the international community’s recognition that MINUSTAH is responsible for the world’s largest cholera outbreak. It is only fitting that Member States would take this step in light of MINUSTAH’s universally recognized responsibility, rather than claw back the money MINUSTAH has left over. 40.5 million USD would not be enough, but it would be a strong start.
3. Make the Cholera Response a Normal Budget Item
Each year, the “Fifth Committee” of the General Assembly draws up a budget for all UN activities. The amount each Member State pays to finance those activities is determined by a formula that accounts for national wealth, exchange rate, debt burden, and more. Moneys given by Member States through this process are called “assessed contributions.”
Financing the New Approach through “assessed contributions” by adding the cholera response the regular UN budget is the final option. We call on Member States to commit to providing the additional funds needed to fully implement the New Approach through “assessed contributions” to the extent voluntary contributions have not provided the necessary funding by the time of MINUSTAH’s withdrawal in October 2017.
Financing the New Approach through “assessed contributions” by adding the cholera response the regular UN budget is the final option. We call on Member States to commit to providing the additional funds needed to fully implement the New Approach through “assessed contributions” to the extent voluntary contributions have not provided the necessary funding by the time of MINUSTAH’s withdrawal in October 2017.
