WHO's role in health emergencies

WHO / Genna Print
Emergency flooding response, Kenya, May 2024.

WHO is uniquely positioned to provide rapid, life-saving support at every stage of the health emergency response

Prepare

A male health worker dressed in personal protective equipment.

From surveillance systems that detect emerging threats to ensuring countries are stocked with critical supplies, WHO’s global systems prepare countries, health systems and communities to respond rapidly if an emergency hits.

This includes supporting national governments in building resilient health services that can withstand diverse threats. From strengthening primary care and providing mental health support in conflict zones, to training, coordinating and supporting the retention of specialist medical teams who can be rapidly deployed during health emergencies, WHO is creating a legacy of preparedness and recovery for communities in crisis.

Coordinate

Three men wearing navy blue WHO vests pointing and looking at a map on the wall.

WHO is the only organization that provides global technical leadership for approved health interventions and medical protocol in health emergencies. As a trusted scientific authority on health, WHO raises awareness of the impact and risks of emergencies on the global stage, helping to mobilize critical resources for health.

As the health cluster lead, we coordinate the activities of more than 900 partners to deliver a strategic and effective response. WHO not only ensures that the right people and the right medical supplies are in the right place at the right time, but ensures partners are focused where they can have the greatest impact to maximize available resource.

WHO also deploys its expertise in surveillance, safe and scalable care, innovation, rapid access to medical countermeasures and emergency coordination to enable swift responses to crises and reducing the risk of zoonotic disease spillovers.

Respond

One person wearing a scarf and a yellow jacket and other wearing a blue head scarf.

Our permanent presence in over 150 countries (including in high-risk zones) means WHO staff can rapidly deliver essential supplies, services and expertise. This ensures the most pressing needs are met, whilst minimizing the knock on-effects of crises.

WHO’s risk assessments enable the rapid allocations of the right resources. For every graded emergency, WHO implements its “no regrets” policy, to ensure staffing and resources needed are made available without delay, preventing emergencies from becoming catastrophes.

WHO’s global presence, networks and logistics hubs enable us to stockpile critical and specialized health equipment and deliver large volumes of supplies, such as trauma and emergency surgery kits, vaccines, and birthing kits.

As a trusted, long-term partner to governments and communities, WHO can make rapid assessments and enhance health care access during emergencies, benefitting millions.

In some emergency settings, WHO may also be required to act as the health care provider of last resort.