Scaling-up health emergency preparedness and response capacities in the European Region

In alignment with the new Action Plan to Improve Public Health Preparedness and Response in the WHO European Region, the WHO Regional Office for Europe is supporting its Member States in scaling up their health emergency preparedness and response capacities through a series of capacity building initiatives.

Outbreaks and health emergencies continue to reveal that they can happen in any country, at any time. This requires all countries to prioritize and prepare for different types of health threats, be they infectious diseases, natural disasters, conflicts or environmental risks. A critical part of this preparation is capacity building through trainings and simulation exercises that are essential for enhancing International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities throughout the Region.

Action Plan tailored to meet the needs of the European Region

This needs-based approach to capacity building is an important component of the new Action Plan to Improve Public Health Preparedness and Response in the WHO European Region. The Action Plan was welcomed by all Member States of the WHO European Region in September 2018 and is a call for all countries to strengthen or maintain emergency response capacities through, for example, training and opportunities to practice and review new and existing capacities.

Despite considerable progress in these areas, however, much more work needs to be done. The sustained political and financial commitment is critically important to address current deficits and challenges. Together with donors and implementing partners, WHO remains fully committed to supporting Member States and expanding the use of simulation exercises and other emergency preparedness and response capacity building initiatives in line with the Action Plan and within the framework and principles of the IHR (2005).

Original source: WHO
Published on 11 February 2019