WHO / Yoshi Shimizu
A WHO field staff talks to a woman fetching water from a water catchment tank in Kiribati.
A WHO field staff talks to a woman fetching water from a water catchment tank in Kiribati.
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Preparing for emergencies
All countries face risks and potential health threats from an increasing range of hazards, including infectious diseases, chemical and radio nuclear incidents, food contamination, and threats associated with climate change including extreme weather events and deforestation.
WHO’s work in emergency preparedness focuses on supporting countries to build core public health and health system capacities that reduce the health risks and consequences of all types of emergencies.
WHO supports Member States to evaluate, develop and strengthen core capacities laid out in the International Health Regulations, to detect, assess, notify and report events and to respond promptly and effectively to public health emergencies.
Working in close collaboration with country offices, WHO:
- provides risk assessment support in the form of technical guidance and operational support on the ground;
- provides guidance on risk communications;
- advises countries on establishing or accessing laboratory services;
- conducts simulation exercises to test national, regional, and global capacities to respond to emergencies; and
- initiates after action reviews after the event to identify best practices, gaps and lessons learned.
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25 May 2023
Field guide for preparedness and response to diphtheria outbreaks in the Western Pacific Region
Due to high routine vaccination coverage, overall counts of diphtheria case have significantly declined in the Western Pacific Region recently. However,...
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Five keys for safer traditional food markets: risk mitigation in traditional food markets in the Asia-Pacific...
Traditional food markets play important economic, cultural, and social role and are sources of livelihood for millions of people in urban and rural areas....
