NEW DELHI: The World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations (UN) Foundation and partners have launched a first-of-its-kind Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund to help countries respond to the global pandemic.The fund, which aims to raise money from a wide range of donors to support the work of the WHO and partners in Covid-19 affected countries, has already got major support lined up, including from Facebook and Google, WHO said.The fund also enables private individuals, corporations and institutions anywhere in the world to come together to directly contribute to global response efforts.“We are at a critical point in the global response to Covid-19 – we need everyone to get involved in this massive effort to keep the world safe,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general, WHO.“We can’t ignore the fact that this is a truly global problem – one that requires truly global solutions,” said UN Foundation President and CEO Elizabeth Cousens The funds will go towards actions outlined in the Covid-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to enable all countries – particularly those most vulnerable and at-risk, and with the weakest health systems – to prepare for and respond to the crisis including rapidly detecting cases, stopping transmission of the virus, and caring for those affected, WHO said.WHO and its partners are seeking financing for protective equipment for frontline health workers; to equip diagnostic laboratories; improve surveillance and data collection; establish and maintain intensive care units; strengthen supply chains; accelerate research and development of vaccines and therapeutics; and take other critical steps to scale up the public health response to the pandemic.