Financial Report of the Director and Report of the External Auditor for 2010

Abstract

[Overview] The 2010 year has been very challenging for public health in the Region of the Americas. During 2010, the Organization faced enormous challenges, including the earthquakes that struck Chile and devastated Haiti, as well as the outbreak of cholera in Haiti. Over the years, technical cooperation in disaster preparedness with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has enabled more and more Member States to effectively respond to emergencies and disasters with their own resources. However, the magnitude of these earthquakes required an increase in resource mobilization and was met with PAHO Member States’ immense commitment to public health and human security of their citizens. PROMESS, the essential public health supplies warehouse in Haiti, played a crucial role in distributing medicines and medical supplies to where they were needed most in Haiti. PAHO also provided critical leadership in coordinating international, nongovernmental, and other United Nations organizations to work effectively with Haitian government officials, local partners, and the Haitian people. The Organization’s consolidated total revenue in 2010 reached $932.6 million, $214.1 million greater than 2008, and the highest level of revenue for the Organization in its history. This increased revenue resulted mainly from (1) the increase in activity for the purchase of essential public health vaccines and supplies on behalf of the Member States, (2) the increase in mobilization and implementation of Voluntary Contributions for public health, and (3) the increased funding from the World Health Organization for the Region of the Americas.