An information screen in the Central Station of Copenhagen shows Danish health authorities' promotions on wearing face-masks on public transports in Copenhagen, Denmark, Aug. 24, 2020. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)
The Finance Act for 2021 sees the Danish government proposing to allocate 70 million Danish Kroner (about 11.1 million U.S. dollars) in development assistance to the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
In the Finance Act for 2020, Denmark contributed 35 million DKK (5.7 million U.S. dollars) to WHO.
"I have also been concerned about seeing a large donor as the U.S. has chosen to withdraw the support. With a doubling of Denmark's contribution to the WHO, we are taking on more global responsibility and strengthening health efforts for some of the most vulnerable in the world," said Minister for Development Cooperation Rasmus Prehn in the press release.
In addition, the minister calls for international cooperation and standing together with the WHO in fighting COVID-19.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has, to some extent, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in the field of health. The time has come to stand together with the World Health Organization," said Prehn.
"Close verbal sparring with the WHO has been crucial to our handling of the coronavirus... Viruses do not know national borders, and that is why cooperation, knowledge sharing and local initiatives all over the world are so incredibly important, and that is why we also need a strong WHO," added Minister for Health and Senior Citizens Magnus Heunicke in the press release.
