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A Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) is a physical location for the coordination of information and resources to support incident management activities. PHEOCs are also referred to as “operations centres”, “situation rooms” and “command centres”. Experience has shown that
...
timely implementation of a PHEOC provides an essential platform for the management of public health emergencies and can help avoid common failings such as lack of clear leadership leading to delayed decision making, mismanagement of resources and poor coordination.
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The presentation “Lessons Learned from Pandemic Outbreaks and Preparedness Strategies” discusses key insights from past pandemics—such as COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, and influenza—and emphasizes the importance of stronger global preparedness. It outlines strategies for improving pandemic response, i
...
ncluding strengthening health systems, enhancing surveillance, implementing the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), conducting risk and vulnerability assessments, and promoting intersectoral collaboration through a One Health approach. The presentation highlights the need for resilient health systems and communities, political commitment, scientific innovation, global solidarity, and sustained investment in preparedness to better respond to future public health emergencies.
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This document aims to provide public health authorities in European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries with guidance for improved preparedness planning taking the lessons that have been identified through various activities in the context of recent public health crises (e.g. COVID-1
...
9 pandemic, mpox multi-country outbreak 2022–23) and translating them to concrete advice. This document, together with the ECDC recommendations on the implementation of public health and social measures (PHSMs) for health emergencies and pandemics published in 2024, form a package of concrete recommendations for preparedness planning for the EU/EEA countries. Lessons learned primarily from the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also from the response to the multicountry mpox outbreak in 2022–23, were collected through various activities from Member States, the European Commission, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WHO Regional Office from Europe. We have then presented these in the form of specific recommendations for planners within each phase of the continuous cycle of preparedness (Anticipation, Response and Recovery), following a prototype structure of a preparedness and response plan. In each section, we have presented a relevant example from a Member State or international organisation to illustrate their practice or attempt to implement lessons after COVID-19 or the mpox outbreak. These examples were identified either through literature review or communication with representatives of the countries within ECDC’s network for Preparedness and Response.
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The document “Interim Guidelines – Infectious Disease Outbreak Response and Analytic System” published by the United Nations provides a framework for how UN missions and organizations should detect, report, analyze, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. It outlines a coordinated system
...
for monitoring health threats, collecting and analyzing epidemiological data, and guiding decision-making during outbreaks. The guidelines define roles and responsibilities for different actors within the UN system, describe procedures for outbreak reporting and risk assessment, and emphasize early detection, information sharing, and coordinated response measures to protect personnel and maintain operational continuity during public health emergencies.
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The webpage “Health emergency preparedness, response and resilience” on the OpenWHO platform presents an online learning channel developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). It provides educational resources and training materials aimed at strengthening knowledge and skills related to prepa
...
ring for, responding to and recovering from health emergencies. The content introduces key concepts such as risk assessment, emergency coordination, surveillance systems, community engagement and resilient health systems. The courses are designed to help public-health professionals, responders and policymakers better understand how to prevent, detect and manage health threats and build stronger systems that can withstand future crises. Overall, the webpage serves as a global training resource to improve preparedness and resilience in public-health emergency management.
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The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. With our 190 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies worldwide, we are in every community reaching 160.7 million people annually through long-term s
...
ervices and development programmes, as well as 110 million people through disaster response and early recovery programmes. We act before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. We do so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions.
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The document provides guidance from the CDC on conducting an Operational Readiness Review (ORR) within the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) cooperative agreement. It outlines the purpose, structure, and evaluation criteria used to assess whether public health systems are prepared to respo
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nd effectively to emergencies. The guidance describes required capabilities, review processes, and documentation expectations, helping jurisdictions demonstrate their readiness and identify areas for improvement in emergency preparedness and response.
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The document explains how Unitaid contributes to strengthening global pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It highlights lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, including inequalities in access to health tools, and emphasizes the need for bet
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ter coordination, stronger health systems, and increased investment in research and development. The text describes Unitaid’s role in improving access to diagnostics, treatments, and medical oxygen, supporting regional manufacturing, and working with global partners to ensure faster and more equitable responses to future health emergencies.
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The webpage describes how the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative is being implemented in the Americas to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response. It explains that PRET promotes a unified approach by grouping diseases according to how they spread (such as respira
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tory or vector-borne), allowing countries to use shared systems and resources more efficiently. The initiative focuses on improving coordination, reducing duplication of efforts, and aligning technical strategies across countries. PAHO supports countries in developing and updating national preparedness plans—especially for respiratory pandemics—through structured steps and by providing access to existing national plans and resources. Overall, the text highlights regional collaboration and capacity-building to ensure that countries in the Americas are better prepared for future health emergencies.
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The text is a report from a WHO meeting that focuses on strengthening research in the field of health emergency and disaster risk management (Health EDRM). It describes how experts from different regions discussed current challenges, progress, and future priorities in improving research to better pr
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epare for and respond to health emergencies and disasters. A central theme is the need for stronger collaboration between countries, institutions, and disciplines, as well as better use of evidence to support policies and decision-making. The report also outlines key actions, such as improving data sharing, developing practical guidance for policymakers, increasing research capacity—especially in low- and middle-income countries—and ensuring that research findings are effectively translated into real-world practice. Overall, the text emphasizes global cooperation and evidence-based strategies to enhance preparedness and resilience against health threats.
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This multi-hazard Health Emergency Alert and Response Framework provides guidance for coordinating emergency response in countries, under the global Health Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (HEPR) framework. It outlines the public health functions, coordination systems and actions need
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ed for effective local, sub-national and national response to a broad range of health emergencies, including disasters. The audience for this framework is the primary national and sub-national authorities with the designated responsibility for health emergency coordination.
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Logistics is a key component of the function of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). Logistics supports the smooth functioning of GISRS through providing advice, guidance and assistance with regards to shipping virus samples, provision of reagents and other laboratory suppl
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ies, and interaction with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), biosafety and courier service. It also includes the management of urgent shipments during outbreaks and other emergencies.
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In many low- and middle-income countries, there is a wide gap between evidencebased recommendations and current practice. Treatment of major CVD risk factors remains suboptimal, and only a minority of patients who are treated reach their target levels for blood pressure, blood sugar and blood choles
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terol.
In other areas, overtreatment can occur with the use of non-evidence-based
protocols. The aim of using standard treatment protocols is to improve the quality
of clinical care, reduce clinical variability and simplify the treatment options,
particularly in primary health care. Standard treatment protocols can be developed by preparing new national treatment guidelines or by adapting or adopting international guidelines.
The Evidence-based protocols module uses hypertension and diabetes screening
and treatment as an entry point to control cardiovascular risk factors, prevent target organ damage, and reduce premature morbidity and mortality. A comprehensive risk- based approach for integrated management of hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol is included in the Risk-based CVD management module.
This module includes clinical practice points and sample protocols for:
1. hypertension detection and treatment
2. type 2 diabetes detection and treatment
3. identifying basic emergencies – care and referral.
HEARTS emphasizes adaptation, dissemination, and use of a standardized set of
simple clinical-management protocols, which should be drug- and dose-specific,
and include a core set of medications. The simpler the protocols and management tools, the more likely they are to be used correctly, and the higher the likelihood that a programme will achieve its goals.
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The Lancet Countdown is an international collaboration that independently monitors the health consequences of a changing climate. Publishing updated, new, and improved indicators each year, the Lancet Countdown represents the
consensus of leading researchers from 43 academic institutions and UN ag
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encies. The 44 indicators of this report expose an unabated rise in the health impacts of
climate change and the current health consequences of the delayed and inconsistent response of countries around the globe—providing a clear imperative for accelerated action that puts the health of people and planet above all else.The 2021 report coincides with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26), at which countries are facing pressure to realise the ambition of the Paris Agreement to keep the global average temperature rise to 1·5°C and to
mobilise the financial resources required for all countries to have an effective climate response. These negotiations unfold in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic—a global health crisis that has claimed millions of lives, affected livelihoods and communities around the globe, and exposed deep fissures and inequities in the world’s capacity to cope with, and respond to, health emergencies. Yet, in its response to both crises, the world is faced with an unprecedented opportunity to ensure a healthy future for all.
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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 9313. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159313. A mixed-methods study, using an online survey and in-depth interviews, was conducted. Participants included Mental Health Focal Points at the Ministries of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) country
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and regional offices, and civil society representatives. Responses were received from 28 countries out of 55 contacted. The implementation level, based on standard guidelines, of MHPSS activities was below 50% in most countries. The most implemented MHPSS activities were establishing coordination groups (57%) and developing MHPSS strategy (45%), while the least implemented activities included implementing the developed MHPSS strategy (32%) and establishing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms (21%). Key factors that hindered implementing MHPSS activities included lack of political commitment and low prioritisation of mental health during emergencies, as it was seen as a “less important” issue during the COVID-19 pandemic, when more importance was given to infection prevention and control (IPC)
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Lessons learned from recent public health events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola virus disease, Zika virus disease outbreaks, and other public health threats, including earthquakes and floods, have highlighted the need for countries to continuously develop, strengthen, and maintain capacities r
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equired under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR (2005)).
Developing capacities for health security in a country requires the engagement of public and private entities across a broad range of sectors, including human and animal health, agriculture, environment, finance, security, emergency management, education, and transportation. The World Health Organization (WHO) is mandated through various resolutions, decisions, and reports of the World Health Assembly, and through the IHR (2005), to provide technical guidance and support to its Member States in developing, strengthening, and maintaining their health systems, including capacities required under the IHR (2005).
For countries to better prevent, prepare for, detect, notify, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies, they must build and maintain IHR core capacities and support the strengthening of health emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and resilience (HEPR) capacities. National Action Plans for Health Security (NAPHS), as capacity development plans, provide the tasks and resources needed to ensure adequate capacities are in place to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from public health events in a sustainable manner. Investing in the resilience of these capacities within national health systems at national and local levels not only improves national health security but also helps safeguard economic, social, and political developments.
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The protracted humanitarian situation in northeastern Nigeria, particularly in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) States, remains a concern due to ongoing insecurity, displacement, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and climate-related shocks. To address these complex challenges, the health sector has
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developed a comprehensive humanitarian response strategy aligned with the three States Development plans, Durable Solutions for the Population Displacement Plan, and the Humanitarian Need Response Plan for 2025. This strategy aims to reduce morbidity and mortality among crisisaffected populations by ensuring timely, equitable, and effective delivery of lifesaving health services, while strengthen the resilience of health system and enhancing local and national capacities for sustainable health response in protracted emergency.
Supported by an in-depth analysis of the ongoing health humanitarian response using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) methodology, the strategy is guided by three key objectives:
1. Provide access to lifesaving interventions and sustain an effective response to the prolonged health emergency.
2. Prevent, mitigate, and prepare for health risks from all hazards and respond to all health emergencies.
3. Advance the primary health care approach and essential health system capacities for universal health coverage.
To achieve these objectives, the strategy employs the “Five C” framework which refers to:
• Collaborative Surveillance: Enhancing collaborative efforts for effective monitoring.
• Community Protection: Implementing community-based protection measures.
• Safe and Scalable Care: Ensuring care that is both secure and scalable.
• Access to Countermeasures: Facilitating access to necessary countermeasures.
• Emergency Coordination: Coordinating emergency responses efficiently.
These proactive approaches are designed to be more anticipatory and preemptive rather than reactive, aiming to meet the needs of the crisis-affected population by providing lifesaving interventions, enhancing preventive and anticipatory actions, and ensuring the resilience of the health system. All actions are guided by International Humanitarian Standards and the Humanitarian Principles.
The implementation of the health humanitarian response strategy will involve collaboration with local authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international organizations. The strategy emphasizes localization and resource mobilization, efficient logistics and supply chain management, mainstreaming protection, and the deployment and training of healthcare workers. Continuous monitoring and periodic evaluation will ensure the effectiveness of the response. Cross-sector collaboration with sectors such as WASH, Nutrition, Education, and Protection will be crucial to enhance the quality and reach of health interventions. Additionally, sustainability and transition approaches will ensure long-term health outcomes and benefits, bridging the gap from humanitarian to development efforts.
By adopting this comprehensive approach, the humanitarian response in northeastern Nigeria, particularly in BAY States, can be effectively guided, ultimately reducing the suffering of affected populations.
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Africa’s health sector is facing an unprecedented financing crisis, driven by a sharp decline of 70% in Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 2021 to 2025 and deep-rooted structural vulnerabilities. This collapse is placing immense pressure on Africa’s already fragile health systems as ODA
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is seen as the backbone of critical health programs: pandemic preparedness, maternal and child health services, disease control programs are all at
risk, threatening Sustainable Development Goal 3 and Universal Health Coverage. Compounding this is Africa’s spiraling debt, with countries expected to service USD 81 billion by 2025—surpassing anticipated external financing inflows—further eroding fiscal space for health investments. Level of domestic resources is low. TThe Abuja Declaration of 2001, a pivotal commitment made by African Union (AU) member states, aimed to reverse this trend by pledging to allocate at least 15% of national budgets to the health sector. However, more than two decades later, only three countries—Rwanda, Botswana, and Cabo Verde—have
consistently met or exceeded this target (WHO, 2023). In contrast, over 30 AU member states remain well below the 10% benchmark, with some allocating as little as 5–7% of their national budgets to health.
In addition, only 16 (29%) of African countries currently have updated versions of National Health Development Plan (NHDP) supported by a National Health Financing Plan (NHFP). These two documents play a critical role in driving internal resource mobilisation. At the same time, public health emergencies are surging, rising 41%—from 152 in 2022 to
213 in 2024—exposing severe under-resourcing of health infrastructure and workforce. Recurring outbreaks (Mpox, Ebola, cholera, measles, Marburg…) alongside effects of climate change and humanitarian crises in Eastern DRC, the Sahel, and Sudan, are overwhelming systems stretched by chronic underfunding. The situation is worsened by Africa’s heavy dependency with over 90% of vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics being externally sourced—leaving countries vulnerable to global supply chain shocks. Health worker shortages persist, with only 2.3 professionals
per 1,000 people (below the WHO’s recommended 4.45), and fewer than 30% of systems are digitized, undermining disease surveillance and early warning. Without decisive action, Africa CDC projects the continent could reverse two decades of health progress, face 2 to 4 million additional preventable deaths annually, and a heightened risk of a pandemic emerging from within. Furthermore, 39 million more
Africans could be pushed into poverty by 2030 due to intertwined health and economic shocks. This is not just a sectoral crisis—it is an existential threat to Africa’s political, social, and economic resilience, and global stability. In response, African leaders, under Africa CDC’s stewardship, are advancing a comprehensive three-pillar strategy centered on domestic resource mobilization, innovative financing, and blended finance.
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The document “Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response Systems: A Guide to Planning” is a World Health Organization (WHO) guide designed to help countries develop and strengthen national surveillance and response systems for communicable diseases . It explains why surveillance is essential
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for early detection of outbreaks, informed decision-making, and effective public health action, especially in the context of the revised International Health Regulations (2005).
The guide provides a structured approach to strategic and operational planning. It outlines how countries should assess their existing systems, define a vision and goals, identify expected key result areas (EKRAs), prioritize activities, set realistic targets, allocate resources, and monitor progress. It also includes practical tools such as templates, worksheets, and examples to support ministries of health in organizing planning workshops and developing multi-year strategic plans and annual operational plans. Overall, the document serves as a practical framework to improve preparedness, early warning, and response to public health emergencies.
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The message contained in this publication is clear: countries need a
public health system that can respond to the deliberate release of
chemical and biological agents. Regrettable though this message may
be, the use of poison gas in the war between Iraq and the Islamic
Republic of Iran in the 19
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80s, the recent anthrax incidents in the United
States, and the attack with sarin nerve agent, six years earlier, on the
Tokyo underground, illustrate why it is necessary to prepare.
Russian and Japanese version available:
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