Countries approve plan for $100M health emergency fund
By Associated Press
May 23, 2015 8:54 AM CDT

BERLIN (AP) — Diplomats have approved the creation of a $100 million fund to help the World Health Organization respond rapidly to emergencies.

The Geneva-based U.N. agency has come under criticism for reacting too slowly to crises in recent years, including the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Delegates from the WHO's 194 member states, meeting in Geneva, approved the fund Saturday as part of an overhaul of the agency's emergency work. The money will come from voluntary member contributions and is meant to allow WHO to fund field operations for up to three months.

It will be reviewed after two years.