Giving Compass' Take:

• The United Nations is making a concerted effort to coordinate data collection and reporting around the world to encourage collaborative efforts of scientists, doctors and nurses to fight COVID-19. 

• How can donors strengthen and support the collaborative efforts of these medical professions? 

• Read more on how philanthropy can address coronavirus. 

The search for a COVID-19 vaccine has united the planet’s scientific and medical communities in unprecedented ways.

Dr. Purvi Parikh is part of this international community — and says the World Health Organization (WHO) serves a vital role in connecting and coordinating such a massive global pandemic response.

“We have the challenge of treating this virus and learning about it at the same time,” the New York immunologist told me recently from the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak.

“Every country has their own contingency plan, but we need one unifying body to take in data and collect on-the-ground reports from everywhere. That’s how we learn — especially with a brand new virus that none of us have ever seen before.”

“So WHO’s work is extremely important in not only educating the medical community, but also helping coordinate responses around the world and reporting back to us what works and what doesn’t.”

WHO is leading global efforts to fight COVID-19. Their response encompasses all parts of the UN system, including major agencies like UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP), as well as public and private sector partners. This work is happening on two key fronts: Equipping frontline health workers all over the world, and accelerating collaborative efforts to find a vaccine and effective treatments for all who need them.

Marshalling resources for this massive global undertaking is why the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund exists.

Since its launch in March, the Fund has raised more than $200 million from more than 280,000 individuals and more than 110 companies and organizations to support WHO and key partners in the pandemic response.

Next week, the UN Foundation will join Giving Tuesday Now on May 5 to mobilize the generosity and support of companies and citizens alike in the fight against COVID-19.

Read the full article about doctors and nurses fighting COVID-19 together by Mj Altman at United Nations Foundation.