The World Health Organization (WHO) has set up a foundation that will allow it to target new sources of funding, including the general public.

The WHO Foundation, which will be based in Geneva but independent from the main body, will initially use any contributions to address the pandemic response. It will later look to tackle other global health emergencies.

“An important part of WHO’s future success is broadening its donor base and increasing both the quantity and quality of funds at its disposal,” said the head of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The WHO itself is funded by a combination of members’ fees based on wealth and population, and voluntary contributions.

News of the foundation comes just days after President Donald Trump threatened to end all US funding for the WHO, criticising the group’s response to the outbreak.

Trump, who has been under fire for his own handling of the pandemic, temporarily halted funding to the WHO last month.