Add Resource
Reference Library
Filter by
COVID-19 Funds in Response to the Pandemic
Outlines summary information and key issues linked to the creation of dedicated COVID-19 extrabudgetary funds (EBFs), including examining the motivation for setting up such funds, describing a database of more than 40 funds that has been compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO), and provides guidance on how to improve the design and management of COVID-19 funds to make them efficient, transparent, and accountable.
Relevant Section:
All
A Guide for Establishing, Operating and Evaluating an Emergency Operations Centre
This guide is based on an all-hazards approach and is intended to guide the efforts of community leaders, institutional policy makers, health services providers, emergency planners and managers, and others who are responsible for the management of the health-related consequences of emergency events.
Relevant Section:
All,Chapter 5,Chapter 2,Chapter 4,All
A Guide to Establishing Event-based Surveillance
In line with the recommendations of the Asia Pacific technical Advisory Group (tAG) on Emerging Infectious Diseases and in response to requests from Member States, the WHO Western Pacific regional office has developed the following guide for the design of event-based surveillance systems.
Relevant Section:
All
A guide to preventing and addressing social stigma associated with COVID-19
Social stigma in the context of health is the negative association between a person or group of people who share certain characteristics and a specific disease. In an outbreak, this may mean people are labelled, stereotyped, discriminated against, treated separately, and/or experience loss of status because of a perceived link with a disease. Such treatment can negatively affect those with the disease, as well as their caregivers, family, friends and communities. People who don’t have the disease but share other characteristics with this group may also suffer from stigma.
Relevant Section:
All
A practical guide for developing and conducting simulation exercise to test and validate pandemic influenza preparedness plans
The purpose of this guide is to support countries in their testing and updating of their national pandemic influenza preparedness plans. It is intended to provide guidance on how to select, plan, conduct and evaluate simulation exercises specific to pandemic influenza, and how to set up a process for using the outcomes of these exercises to review and improve pandemic plans.
Relevant Section:
All
A systematic review of public health emergency operations centres (EOC)
This literature review examines the peer-reviewed and grey literature in order to document global best practices for effective public health emergency response by EOCs; to identify indicators to monitor EOC performance; to describe risk communication in EOC settings; to outline research needs; and to identify standardized terminology.
Relevant Section:
30-32,All,35-36
A Tripartite Guide to Addressing Zoonotic Diseases in countries (TZG)
The Tripartite Zoonoses Guide (TZG) has been jointly developed by the FAO, OIE, and WHO to support countries in taking a multisectoral, One Health approach to address zoonotic diseases. It provides principles, best practices and options to assist countries in achieving sustainable and functional collaboration at the human-animal-environment interface.
Relevant Section:
All
Advice on the use of point-of-care immunodiagnostic tests for COVID-19
This brief gives advice and recommendations from WHO on the use of point-of-care immunodiagnostic tests for COVID-19.
Relevant Section:
All
After Action Reviews Materials
All WHO resources for training, planning and implementing AARs can be found here.
Relevant Section:
All
An Efficient and Practical Approach to Biosecurity
Whole-of-government biosafety and biosecurity system is in place for all sectors (including human, animal (domestic animals and wildlife) and environmental facilities).
Relevant Section:
17-86
Analysis of good practice of public health Emergency Operations Centers
This literature review focuses on public health emergency operations centers in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Australia, with the intent of summarizing good practice for the improvement of other EOCs.
Relevant Section:
All
Antigen-detection in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection using rapid immunoassays
This document offers advice on the potential role of antigen-detecting RDTs (Ag-RDT) in the diagnosis of COVID-19 and the need for careful test selection. The information on Ag-RDTs in this document updates guidance that was included in the Scientific Brief entitled WHO Advice on use of point of care immunodiagnostics test for COVID-19 published on 8 April 2020. Guidance on the use of Ag-RDTs will be regularly updated as new evidence becomes available.
Relevant Section:
All
Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes in Health-care Facilities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A WHO Practical Toolkit
The specific aim of the toolkit is to enable antimicrobial stewardship in health-care facilities in low- and middle-income countries.
Relevant Section:
All
Assessment tool for laboratories implementing SARS-CoV-2 testing
This tool has been designed to assess the capacity of laboratories that have implemented or intend to implement testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The tool is a shortened version of the 2012 Laboratory assessment tool that is widely used to assess national laboratory systems and the capacity of laboratories.
Relevant Section:
All
Basic laboratory procedures in clinical bacteriology
The present publication brings together and updates the various guidelines produced by WHO over the years on sampling of specimens for laboratory investigation, identification of bacteria, and testing of antimicrobial resistance. The information included is intended to lead to harmonization of microbiological investigations and susceptibility testing, and to improve the quality of laboratories at both central and intermediate levels. It concentrates on the procedures to be followed, rather than the basic techniques of microscopy and staining, which have been described in detail in another WHO publication.
Relevant Section:
all
Best practices for communicating with the public during an outbreak
This report describes infectious disease outbreaks and the many difficult challenges they present for communicators and identifies best practices for communication during an outbreak.
Relevant Section:
All
Best Practices in Public Health Risk and Crisis Communication
This article presents a checklist of best practices that should be considered for public health risk and crisis communication plans.
Relevant Section:
All
Building Global Epidemiology and Response Capacity with Field Epidemiology Training Programs
This article provides the history of and describes the traditional 2-year Field Epidemiology Training Program that has been supported by CDC in many countries; it also describes the effect of these
programs, their role in the development of a public health workforce, and how they are enhancing global health security.
Relevant Section:
All
Central America Field Epidemiology Training Program (CA FETP): a pathway to sustainable public health capacity development
This review article describes the training model, outcomes, and impact of the Central America Field Epidemiology Training Program.
Relevant Section:
All
Clinical care of severe acute respiratory infections – Toolkit
This toolkit is intended for clinicians working in acute care hospitals in low- and middle-income countries, managing adult and paediatric patients with acute respiratory infection, including severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and septic shock. The main objective is to provide some of the necessary tools that can be used to care for the critically ill patient from hospital entry to hospital discharge.
Relevant Section:
All
Clinical management of COVID-19
This document is the update of an interim guidance originally published under the title “ Clinical management of COVID-19: interim guidance, 27 May 2020".
Providing trustworthy guidance that is comprehensive and holistic for the optimal care of COVID-19 patients, throughout their entire illness is necessary. The previous version of the Clinical management of COVID-19 provided recommendations that can be applied when caring for patients during the COVID-19 care pathway. This guideline now also includes Best Practice Statement on caring for COVID-19 patients after their acute illness and 5 new recommendations.
Relevant Section:
All
Community-Based Surveillance: guiding principles
This document outlines the principles used by the IFRC to implement community based surveillance and empower communities to play an essential role in their own health security.
Relevant Section:
All
Considerations for implementing and adjusting public health and social measures in the context of COVID-19
This document is an update to the interim guidance published on 16 April 2020 entitled “Considerations in adjusting public health and social measures in the context of COVID-19”. Public health and social measures (PHSM) are being implemented across the globe to limit transmission and reduce mortality and morbidity from COVID-19. PHSM include non-pharmaceutical individual and societal interventions to control COVID-19.
Relevant Section:
All
Considerations for mass gatherings in the context of COVID-19
The purpose of this annex is to provide key considerations to health authorities and event organizers for reopening mass gatherings (MG); it should be read in conjunction with the interim guidance.
Relevant Section:
All
Considerations for public health and social measures in the workplace in the context of COVID-19
Annex to Considerations in adjusting public health and social measures in the context of COVID-19.
Relevant Section:
pg.7-13
Considerations for school-related public health measures in the context of COVID-19
Annex to Considerations in adjusting public health and social measures in the context of COVID-19
Relevant Section:
All
Controlling the spread of COVID-19 at ground crossings
This guidance advises countries how to reduce the spread of COVID-19 resulting from travel, transportation, and trade on and around ground crossings
Relevant Section:
All
Country readiness checklist for SARS-CoV-2 antigen RDT implementation
The purpose of this checklist is to identify the topics that should be considered and addressed prior to the incorporation of antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) into a national COVID-19 diagnostic strategy.
Relevant Section:
All
COVID-19 Essential Supplies Forecasting Tool
This document provides technical details and methodological explanations on the structure of the COVID-19 Essential Supplies Forecasting Tool (ESFT). It is intended to provide information that will allow users to a) trace and understand the calculations, assumptions, and limitations of ESFT; and b) modify these assumptions for different contexts or use cases. It is updated with each iteration of the tool.
Relevant Section:
All
COVID-19 message library
This message library, provided by WHO, is intended to be locally adapted and delivered to the general public in countries around the world via SMS or voice message. Member States are encouraged to localize and translate the messages below as necessary.
Relevant Section:
All
COVID-19 Molecular Testing Protocols
This document provides the key available protocols for COVID-19 molecular testing.
Relevant Section:
All
COVID-19: Operational guidance for maintaining essential health services during an outbreak.
This document expands on the content of the WHO Operational planning guidelines to support country preparedness and response for COVID-19. It provides guidance on a set of targeted immediate actions that countries should consider at national, regional, and local level to reorganize and maintain access to essential quality health services for all. It complements existing and forthcoming WHO guidance on the wider implications of COVID-19 for health systems and cross-government strategies for responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, including region-specific technical guidance being developed by WHO Regional Offices.
Relevant Section:
7,8,9
COVID-19: Operational Planning Guidelines and COVID-19 Partners Platform to support country preparedness and response
In order to assist UN country teams in scaling up country preparedness and response to COVID-19, WHO has developed these learning modules as a companion to the Operational Planning Guidelines to Support Country Preparedness and Response.
The training is intended: for UN country teams (UNCTs); for other relevant stakeholders, including partners, donors and civil society; to support national readiness and preparedness for COVID-19; to help countries increase their capacity to respond to COVID-19; to increase international coordination for response and preparedness; to streamline the process of coordinating resources and assessing country preparedness level.
This learning package consists of 3 modules with videos and downloadable presentations.
Relevant Section:
All
Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (Manual): Second Edition
This guidance document introduces the principles of and practical tools for risk communication during a crisis or emergency.
Relevant Section:
Ch5,Ch7,Ch7,Ch4,Ch4,Ch6,Ch8/9
Decision tree for risk assessment tool for Religious Leaders and Faith-based Communities in the context of COVID-19
This is a decision tree for risk assessment tool for Religious Leaders and Faith-based Communities in the context of COVID-19
Relevant Section:
All
Design and Conduct of Simulation Exercises (SIMEX)
This concise guideline on design and conduct of simulation exercises (SIMEX) is part of the Words into Action Guideline series on practical implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction Priority 4 component on enhancing
disaster preparedness for effective response. It targets emergency managers, relevant government officials and many other actors responsible for disaster preparedness planning and drills. It consists of three main sections: General Information on Simulation Exercise, or SIMEX; the Process; and Existing Guidance.
Relevant Section:
All
Desktop Simulation: A user’s guidebook on building successful simulations
This guide’s purpose is to be a practical and action-oriented tool that helps your Country Office in supporting and collaborating with government emergency/management disaster structures in various countries to establishing adequate preparedness and response capacity for emergencies through planning/organizing/implementing Desktop Simulations.
Relevant Section:
All
Develop and Conduct a Water Resilience Tabletop Exercise with Water Utilities
The Tabletop Exercise Tool for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities (TTX Tool) provides users with the resources to plan, conduct and evaluate tabletop exercises that focus on Water Sector-related incidents and challenges.
Relevant Section:
All
Development of a Biosecurity Checklist for Laboratory Assessment and Monitoring
This peer-reviewed article contains a checklist for laboratories to use to assess the status of biosecurity. This biosecurity checklist is an information-gathering tool for external assessments and is aimed to assist organizations that handle valuable biological materials (VBMs), to assess the aspects of biosecurity and laboratory capacity.
Relevant Section:
85-86
Development of National Health Laboratory Policy and Plan
Development of National Health Laboratory Policy and Plan - Guide that provides the role of lab services in the health system and identifies essential elements of the national health lab policy and national health lab plan.
Relevant Section:
1-20
Diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2
This document provides interim guidance to laboratories and other stakeholders involved in diagnostics for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It covers the main considerations for specimen collection, nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT), antigen (Ag), antibody (Ab) detection and quality assurance. This document will be updated as new information becomes available. Feedback can be sent to WHElab@who.int.
Relevant Section:
All
Disaster Financial Management Guide Guidance for State, Local, Tribal & Territorial Partners
Provides guidance for U.S. jurisdictions (e.g., state, local, tribal and territorial governments) establish and implement sound disaster financial management practices.
Relevant Section:
All
Disaster Simulation Exercises: a how to guide for the Pacific- Government of New Zealand (2014)
This guide has been written to accompany the DVD and assist viewers in working through the five steps of the exercise cycle. Each of the six sections of this guide reiterates key points from the DVD and provides all the necessary forms and templates you will need to complete that step.
Relevant Section:
All
Draft operational planning guidance for UN country teams
The purpose of this document is to provide a practical guide for the UNCTs and partners to develop a CPRP to immediately support national governments to prepare for and respond to COVID-19.
Relevant Section:
All
ECDC Handbook on simulation exercises in EU Public health settings
The purpose of this simulation exercise handbook is to support organisations in the public health sector in strengthening their response to events involving communicable diseases, based on effective simulation exercises as a part of preparedness. This handbook is meant to serve as a guide on: how to guarantee strategic-level support of decision-makers in order to set an exercise programme within the preparedness plans of the organisation; and how to set all necessary steps in conceptualising, designing, planning, coordinating, conducting and evaluating simulation exercises.
Relevant Section:
All
Effective Media Communication during Public Health Emergencies
This guidance describes a seven-step process to assist officials and others to communicate effectively during emergencies.
Relevant Section:
Step 3,Step 2,Step 4,Step 4,Step 5
Emergencies: Ten things you need to do to implement the International Health Regulations
This webpage provides general information on the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005).
Relevant Section:
All
Emergency Exercise Development
These guidelines are intended to provide a wide range of information related to public health emergency management exercise development. Users should be aware that this document is not regulatory and represents guidelines only. It should not replace appropriate consultation with public health emergency management professionals. This course material has been designed for emergency exercise staff to acquire in-depth knowledge and skills related to the exercise development process, including management, control, simulation and evaluation. Emphasis is on the construction of exercise planning documents; staffing and training of team leaders in control, simulation and evaluation; the development of expected player actions and points of review; and exercise administration and logistics.
Relevant Section:
All
Emergency planning and preparedness: exercises and training
Provides information and learning materials on how to run exercises and training for emergency planning and preparedness, with an introduction to the Central Government Emergency Response Training (CGERT) Course.
Relevant Section:
All
Emergency preparedness: what every health care worker needs to know
This article reviews the basic concepts in emergency preparedness with an emphasis on integration into a health system.
Relevant Section:
All
Emergency Response Framework (ERF)
This document delineates the WHO’s roles, responsibilities, and approach for its work in emergencies.
Relevant Section:
Chapter 3
Emergency Response Preparedness - IASC Task Team on Preparedness and
Resilience
This package provides practical guidance to assist Resident/humanitarian Coordinators and humanitarian country teams in preparing to respond to potential emergencies with appropriate humanitarian assistance and protection.
Relevant Section:
All
Emergency Risk Communication: Lessons Learned from a Rapid
Review of Recent Gray Literature on Ebola, Zika, and Yellow Fever
This rapid review focuses exclusively on gray literature and seeks to identify the lessons learned from recent Ebola, Zika, and yellow fever to improve emergency risk communication.
Relevant Section:
439-443
Establishment of a National Inventory of Dangerous Pathogens in the Republic of Uganda
This article includes a description of how the Government of Uganda instituted a dangerous pathogen inventory. The methods section of the article summarizes the primary steps in the process.
Relevant Section:
170-172
Exercise Simulation System Document (ESSD)
The ESSD is a compilation for information and resources that would typically be available in any community as they respond to and manage an emergency or disaster in a local community.
Relevant Section:
All
FAO Surveillance Evaluation Tool (SET)
SET is a tool developed by FAO that supports the comprehensive and comparative assessment of a country's surveillance system for animal diseases, including zoonoses. The objectives of SET evaluations are to (i) Evaluate a country's animal disease surveillance system to support the development of a locally-relevant action plan for improvement; and (ii) Use a standardized and reproducible tool to monitor progress of the system over time.
Relevant Section:
All
FAO’s Good Emergency Practice (GEMP)
The aim of this manual is to set out in a systematic way the elements required to achieve control of transboundary animal diseases (TADs).
Relevant Section:
All
Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs in sub-Saharan Africa from 2004 to 2010: need, the process, and prospects
This article describes a process used to develop 10 Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs covering 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa as a strategy to develop a locally trained public health workforce that can operate multi-disease surveillance and response systems.
Relevant Section:
All
Field Epidemiology Training Program Development Handbook
Complete guideline for developing field epidemiology training programs.
Relevant Section:
Ch 2,Ch 4.1,Ch 3,Ch 6,Ch 5,Ch 8
First consultation meeting on a framework for public health emergency operations centres
This report summarizes the discussions and agreements at a consultative meeting focusing on emergency operations centers.
Relevant Section:
15-36
Framework for a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre
Guidance for developing, exercising and managing a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
Relevant Section:
All
Framework for a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre
This document outlines the key concepts and essential requirements for developing and managing a public health emergency operations center.
Relevant Section:
Chapter 5/Annex 2, Chapter 7, Chapter 7/Annex 7/8, Chapter 8, Chapter 4, Ch 7, Ch 7/8/Annex 7/8
From Panic and Neglect to Investing in Health Security: Financing Pandemic Preparedness at a National Level
This report by the International Working Group on Financing Preparedness (IWG) proposes ways in which national governments and development partners can finance investments in-country and regional preparedness and response capacities for pandemics and other health emergencies. The report outlines 12 specific recommendations to ensure adequate and sustained financing of preparedness.
Relevant Section:
All
From SARS to 2009 H1N1 Influenza: The Evolution of a Public Health Incident Management System at CDC
This article describes the U.S. CDC's challenges and solutions for including traditional public health response functions within the national incident management system.
Relevant Section:
All
Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Programs as a Strategy to Improve Disease Surveillance and Response
This article describes the process and early results on the implementation of FETP-Frontline -- a 3-month field training program targeting local Ministry of Health staff in over 20 countries to augment local public health capacity.
Relevant Section:
All
Government's Emergency Simulations: Facilitator`s Guide – Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) / Sub-Working Group on Preparedness
This guide provides the instructions and documentation needed to support facilitators in the design and delivery of the Integrated Approach to Emergency Simulation or “GES”, an emergency preparedness and response simulation exercise and follow-up debriefing workshop. The GES is based on a United Nations simulation model and methodology, and has been adapted to address the learning needs of government agencies and organisations that wish to use this methodology to support their emergency planning processes.
The GES is intended to provide an opportunity to practice the skills and knowledge of disaster management organisations within the setting of emergency preparedness and response. Its design enables participants to apply existing disaster preparedness policies, contingency plans and emergency procedures to prepare their responses to a given disaster scenario. In so doing they confront and are forced to deal with many of the real challenges imposed by such crises, including coordination, management, security, administrative, and technical sector challenges.
Relevant Section:
All
Guidance for Conducting a Country COVID-19 Intra-action review (IAR)
This guidance for conducting a country COVID-19 intra-action review (IAR) and the accompanying package of templates and facilitation documents have been developed by the Country Simulation Exercises and Review (CER) unit of the Health Security Department (HSP) at WHO headquarters in collaboration with WHO regional offices.
Relevant Section:
All
Guidance for laboratories shipping specimens to WHO reference laboratories that provide confirmatory testing for COVID-19 virus
In this document, WHO outlined the instructions about the shipment mechanism to expedite and cover the costs of the shipment of clinical samples from patients with suspected COVID-19 from the country of collection to one of the WHO reference laboratories providing confirmatory molecular testing for COVID-19.
Relevant Section:
All
Guidance on regulations for the Transport of Infectious Substances
Guidance on Regulations for the Transport of Infectious Substances (2013-2014) - Definitions of different categories of samples and guidelines for packaging, labeling, and documentation requirements for each.
Relevant Section:
1-34
Guidelines for Developing Emergency Simualtions and Drills - PAHO (2011)
This handbook gives the guidelines for organizing, developing, and evaluating simulations and drills and describes different uses for the exercises in the context of emergencies and disasters. It has been written primarily for health sector organizations that are in the process of reviewing and updating emergency preparedness and response plans, but institutions from other sectors will also find it useful.
Relevant Section:
All
Handbook for Developing a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Part A: Policies, Plans and Procedures
Guidance for developing PHEOC Policy plans and procedures.
Relevant Section:
All
Handbook for Developing a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Part A: Policies, Plans and Procedures
This document provides detailed guidance for developing and implementing policies, plans and procedures for the WHO’s framework for a public health emergency operations center.
Relevant Section:
19/All,9 to 11,All,All
Handbook for Developing a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Part C: Training and Exercises
This document provides detailed guidance for developing and implementing trainings and exercises for the WHO’s framework for a public health emergency operations center.
Relevant Section:
All
Handbook for Developing a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Part C: Training and Exercises
Training and exercising of PHEOCs.
Relevant Section:
All
Health professionals for a new century: transforming education to strengthen health systems in an interdependent world
This article reports on the major findings of a Lancet Commission that sought to to develop a shared vision and a common strategy for holistic postsecondary education in medicine, nursing, and public health.
Relevant Section:
1951
Health workers exposure risk assessment and management in the context of COVID-19 virus
This tool is to be used by health care facilities that have either cared for or admitted COVID-19 patients. This form is to be completed for all health workers who have been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 patient in a health care facility. It is intended to be an operational tool used by health care facilities once a COVID-19 patient has been identified within the facility. This tool will help determine
the risk of COVID-19 virus infection of all HCWs who have been exposed to a COVID-19 patient and then provides recommendations for appropriate management of these HCWs, according to their infection risk.
Relevant Section:
All
Health-Related Disaster Communication and Social Media: Mixed-Method Systematic Review
This review examines the body of literature on the best social media practices to promote health protection and dispel misinformation during disasters.
Relevant Section:
All
Home care for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and management of their contacts
This document is an update of the guidance published on 17 March 2020 entitled “Home care for patients with COVID-19 presenting with mild symptoms and management of their contacts”. This interim guidance has been updated with
advice on safe and appropriate home care for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and on the public health measures related to the management of their contacts. This rapid advice is intended to guide public health and infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals, health facility managers, health workers a and other trained community-based providers when addressing issues related
to home care for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, and thus refers to a patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 throughout the document.
Relevant Section:
All
How to budget for COVID-19 response? A rapid scan of budgetary mechanisms in highly affected countries.
Summarises observed budgetary allocation actions across a sample of countries in response to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Relevant Section:
All
How to use WHO risk assessment and mitigation checklist for mass gatherings in the context of COVID-19
This document provides a COVID-19 risk assessment and mitigation checklist for use by host countries and mass gathering organizers. It also includes an operational tool which offers guidance for organizers holding meetings during the COVID-19 outbreak and which should be accompanied by the WHO COVID-19 Generic Risk Assessment Excel file. It should be read in conjunction with WHO’s Key planning recommendations for Mass Gatherings in the context of the current COVID-19 outbreak (Interim guidance).
Relevant Section:
All
Human and Animal Vaccination Delivery to Remote Nomadic Families, Chad
A review of field research on joint human and animal vaccination campaigns among nomadic pastoralists of Chad, advocating for intersectoral approaches for service delivery in similar remote rural, hard-to-reach settings.
Relevant Section:
All
IHR (2005) Toolkit for implementation in national legislation - Questions and answers, legislative reference and assessment tool and examples of national legislation
This document is a detailed legislative reference and includes a legislative assessment tool and examples of national legislation.
Relevant Section:
All
IHR (2005) Toolkit for implementation in national legislation - The National IHR Focal Point
This document provides information on the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) in national legislation with a particular focus on the National IHR Focal Point and its functions.
Relevant Section:
All
IHR (2005): A Brief Introduction to Implementation in National Legislation
This document provides a brief introduction to legislative
implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005)
Relevant Section:
All
IHR-PVS National Bridging Workshop
The main objective of the NBW is to provide an opportunity to human and animal health services of hosting countries to review their current collaboration gaps in key technical areas and to develop a joint road-map of corrective measures and strategic investments to improve the work at the animal-human interface in the prevention, detection and control of zoonotic diseases.
Relevant Section:
All
Incident Management System (Tiers 1 and 2)
This 3-hour training seeks to provide individuals with a foundational understanding of the World Health Organization’s Incident Management System (IMS) structure and its procedures.
Relevant Section:
All
Infection prevention and control for long-term care facilities in the context of COVID-19
This interim guidance is for LTCF managers and corresponding infection prevention and control (IPC) focal persons in LTCF and updates the guidance published in March 2020. The objective of this document is to provide guidance on IPC in LTCFs in the context of COVID-19 to 1) prevent COVID-19-virus from entering the facility and spreading within the facility, and 2) to support safe conditions for visiting through the rigorous application of IPC procedures for the residents’ well-being. WHO will update these recommendations as new information becomes available. All technical guidance for COVID-19 is available online.
Relevant Section:
All
Infection prevention and control for the safe management of a dead body in the context of COVID-19
This interim guidance is designed for individuals who tend to the bodies of persons who have died of suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Potential users include managers of health-care facilities and
mortuaries, as well as religious leaders and public health authorities. Moreover, this document provides guidance for the management of the dead in the context of COVID-19 in low, middle- and high-income settings.
Relevant Section:
All
Investing in and building longer-term health emergency preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic
This guidance supplements the COVID-19 SPRP, the strategy update and the operational planning guidelines. Its aim is to help multisectoral decision-makers and policy-makers in Member States to ‘build back better’ by undertaking the following: build on actions taken as part of their COVID-19 SPRP to improve national medium- to long-term preparedness for future all-hazards; locate relevant supporting WHO resources that are not specific to COVID-19 but can help build sustainable capacities; and advocate for the conscious and effective allocation of COVID-19 funds to meet these longer-term needs, including their obligations under the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR 2005). The guidance should also help partners and other stakeholders to support Member States in these efforts to build sustainable capacities for longer-term preparedness.
Relevant Section:
All
Key planning recommendations for Mass Gatherings in the context of the current COVID-19 outbreak
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to host governments, health authorities and national or international organizers of mass gatherings on containing risks of COVID-19 transmission associated with mass gathering events.
General considerations and advice applicable to the organization of mass gatherings, and addressing risks of any origin, should also be taken into account when planning an event, as highlighted in WHO’s publication Public health for mass gatherings: key considerations
Relevant Section:
All
Laboratory biosafety manual (3rd edition)
The third edition of the WHO Laboratory biosafety manual is a helpful reference and guide to nations that accept the challenge to develop and establish national codes of practice for securing microbiological assets, yet ensuring their availability for clinical, research and epidemiological purposes.
Relevant Section:
All
Laboratory Capacity Requirements for International Health Regulations and Their Implementation in the WHO African Region
This document focuses on the laboratory component of IHR. It can be used in identifying approaches to develop the laboratory capacity for implementation of IHR in the WHO African Region in accordance with the specifications outlined in Annex 1A of IHR. Since IHR does not provide clear guidance on the laboratory component, this document will define specific elements for laboratory capacity requirements to facilitate the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of IHR, and also will supplement existing WHO reference documents.
Relevant Section:
All
Laboratory Quality Management System Training Toolkit
Laboratory quality management system training toolkit: overview and tips for training design.
Relevant Section:
1-34
Laboratory Quality Standards and their Implementation
Laboratory Quality Standards and their Implementation: Highlights how to develop and implement quality Laboratory standards that align with international norms and standards.
Relevant Section:
7-27, 27-28
Laboratory testing for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in suspected human cases
The purpose of this document is to provide interim guidance to laboratories and stakeholders involved in laboratory testing of patients who meet the definition of suspected case of pneumonia associated with a novel coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China.
Relevant Section:
All
Laboratory testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in suspected human cases
This document provides interim guidance to laboratories and stakeholders involved in COVID-19 virus laboratory testing of patients. It is based in part on the interim guidance on laboratory testing for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus. 1-6 Information on human infection with the COVID-19 virus is evolving and WHO continues to monitor developments and revise recommendations, as necessary.
Relevant Section:
All
Laboratory testing strategy recommendations for COVID-19
This document provides guidance to policy makers and laboratories on testing strategies for each of these four scenarios, including the scenario in which testing can be performed only on a limited number of patients.
Relevant Section:
All
Law and Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response: Lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic
The Report analyses current domestic laws and policies and provides recommendations in three main areas: (1) overarching domestic legal and institutional frameworks for PHEs (i.e., the architecture of PHE risk management); (2) legal measures for mitigating both the secondary impacts of PHEs and impacts on vulnerable groups; and (3) legal facilities for humanitarian actors during PHEs. The recommendations seek to identify the key legal issues that decision-makers need to consider and to provide general guidance on how PHE laws and policies can – similar to more general disaster laws – underpin the key components of effective and equitable preparedness and response.
Relevant Section:
All
Lessons of Risk Communication and Health Promotion — West Africa and United States
This article discusses the risk communication strategies used by the U.S. CDC in West Africa and the United States during the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic and concludes with a summary of the lessons learned.
Relevant Section:
All
Leveraging information technology to bridge the health workforce gap
This article discusses how new information and communication technologies can help to overcome healthcare workforce development challenges.
Relevant Section:
All
Making sense of communication interventions in public health emergencies – an evaluation framework for risk communication.
This article proposes framework for the evaluation of risk communication strategies that espouses an understanding of risk communication as an interactive, holistic, continuous and engaging activity that focuses on dialogue, intelligence gathering, and building relationships.
Relevant Section:
All
Management of ill travellers at Points of Entry – international airports, seaports and ground crossings – in the context of COVID-19 outbreak
This document provides advice on the detection and management of ill travellers suspected to have COVID-19 at points of entry and on conveyances of all types, with the following measures to be implemented based on country priorities and capacities
Relevant Section:
All
Manual for the laboratory diagnosis and virological surveillance of influenza
Manual for the Laboratory diagnosis and virological surveillance of influenza - This manual includes a background on flu virology, epidemiology, control, and surveillance as well as a number of diagnostic test instructions and transport SOPs.
Relevant Section:
29-32, 43-115
Multisectoral preparedness coordination framework
This document provides States Parties, ministries, and relevant sectors and stakeholders with an overview of the key elements for overarching, all hazard, multisectoral coordination for emergency preparedness and health security, informed by best practices, country case studies and technical input from an expert group.
Relevant Section:
All
National antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems and participation in the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS). A guide to planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation
Guide to planning, implementing, M&E for AMR surveillance.
Relevant Section:
Full document
National capacities review tool for a novel coronavirus
The main aim of the national capacities review tool is to better understand existing capacities in the area of detection and response to a novel coronavirus (nCoV) that is zoonotic and causes respiratory disease. The tool was developed with other coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, in mind and in consultation with member states. This information will help national authorities to i) identify main gaps ii) perform risk assessments and iii) plan for additional investigations, response and control actions.
Relevant Section:
All
National civil–military health collaboration framework for strengthening health emergency preparedness
The framework identifies lessons learned from recent participation of military health services in responding to natural disasters, chemical, nuclear or radiological incidents, and disease outbreaks, including linkages to public health emergency operation centres and emergency medical teams. Key elements for effective civil–military health collaboration for the development of national core capacity to prevent, detect, respond to and recover from health emergencies are highlighted
Relevant Section:
All
OIE Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Evaluation tool
The PVS Evaluation comprises a 2-6 week mission which delivers a thorough, qualitative assessment of the performance of a country’s Veterinary Services and their compliance with OIE international Standards. It is an external evaluation conducted by a group of OIE trained and certified experts which collect and analyse baseline information and evidence collated during the mission, including an extensive field component. The mission uses the proven OIE PVS Tool, where 45 Critical Competencies are systematically evaluated via documentation reviews, interviews and physical observations against five qualitative graded levels of advancement, each with detailed descriptions or indicators to transparently guide the process.
Relevant Section:
All
OIE’s Communication handbook for Veterinary Services
This handbook supports veterinary services personnel to collaborate with key stakeholders and concerned publics especially in terms of engaging health professionals, farmers, civil society, communities, media and others who are largely unfamiliar with the scientific knowledge of the world of animal health.
Relevant Section:
All
One Health: Operational Framework for Strengthening Human, Animal, and Environmental Public Health Systems at their Interface
Outlines the value of investing in One Health and offers information on the impacts of disease outbreaks, the value of actions, suggest opportunities of action, and outlines basic guidance for analysis.
Relevant Section:
Chapter 2 (pp.29-46)
Operational considerations for case management of COVID-19 in health facility and community
This document is intended for health ministers, health system administrators, and other decision-makers. It is meant to guide the care of COVID-19 patients as the response capacity of health systems is challenged; to ensure that COVID-19 patients can access life-saving treatment, without compromising public health objectives and safety of health workers
Relevant Section:
All
Operational considerations for managing COVID-19 cases or outbreak in aviation
This document is based on the evidence currently available about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission (human-to-human transmission primarily via respiratory droplets from, or direct contact with, an infected individual). It should be used in conjunction with WHO’s Handbook for the Management of Public Health Events in Air Transport. The target audience is any authority involved in public health response to a public health event in aviation, including International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Points (NFP), health authorities at airports, local, provincial and national health surveillance and response systems, as well as civil aviation authorities, airport operators, aircraft operators, airports and airlines.
Relevant Section:
All
Operational considerations for managing COVID-19 cases/outbreak on board ships
This document has been prepared based on the evidence currently available about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission (human-to-human transmission via respiratory droplets or direct contact from an infected individual). It is recommended to use it in conjunction with the published World Health Organization (WHO) Handbook for management of public health events on board ships. The target audience of this documents is any authority involved in public health response to a COVID-19 public health event on board ships, including International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP), port health authorities, local, provincial and national health surveillance and response system, as well as port operators and ship operators.
Relevant Section:
All
Outbreak communication planning guide
This document seeks to provide guidance to help national authorities apply the World Health Organization outbreak communication principles to outbreak planning and preparation activities.
Relevant Section:
All
Overview of Public Health and Social Measures in the context of COVID-19
In response to COVID-19, countries around the world have put in place a range of public health and social measures, which are actions by individuals, institutions, communities, local and national governments, and international bodies, to suppress or stop community spread of COVID-19. The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of public health and social measures, and to propose strategies to limit any possible harm resulting from these interventions. The document is intended to inform national and local health authorities and other decision-makers at all levels.
Relevant Section:
All
Pandemic Influenza Electronic Exercise Tool U.S. CDC
The Pandemic Influenza Electronic Exercise Tool (hereafter referred to as the Tool) is designed to help exercise planners from communities with limited resources to develop and conduct a pandemic influenza exercise. The Tool provides community planners with an easy-to-use format for developing and conducting an exercise using e-mail or other electronic format.
Relevant Section:
All
Practical actions in cities to strengthen preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
This document accompanies the interim guidance on “Strengthening Preparedness for COVID-19 in cities and urban settings”. It provides local authorities, leaders and policy-makers in cities with a checklist tool to ensure that key areas have been covered. An excel version that local authorities may wish to adapt to meet their needs is also available. It allows filtering by steps of action; suggested domains and responsible teams within local governments for each action; and phase(s) of the emergency management cycle.
Relevant Section:
All
Practical considerations and recommendations for religious leaders and faith-based communities in the context of COVID-19
This document and risk assessment tool provides practical guidance and recommendations to support the special role of religious leaders, faith-based organizations, and faith communities in COVID-19 education, preparedness, and response.
Relevant Section:
All
Preparedness for cyclones, tropical storms, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes during the COVID-19 pandemic
This WHO health advisory provides guidance to countries on
adapting all existing preparedness and response plans and
procedures for cyclones, tropical storms, tornadoes, floods,
earthquakes and potential outbreaks of other diseases to their
COVID-19 strategic preparedness and response plans (SPRPs).
Relevant Section:
All
Principles of emergency management and emergency operations centers (EOC)
This book is based on more than four decades of experience and provides a clear and up-to-date understanding of how an EOC should operate within the guidance of various federal and national programs.
Relevant Section:
pg. 57-63, pg. 281-299, 163-281
Promoting public health measures in response to COVID-19 on cargo ships and fishing vessels
This document provides guidance for shipowners, seafarers, unions and associations and competent authorities for health and transport on protecting seafarers working on cargo ships and fishing vessels from transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and management of COVID-19.
Relevant Section:
All
Public health criteria to adjust public health and social measures in the context of COVID-19: annex to considerations in adjusting public health and social measures in the context of COVID-19
On 16 April 2020, WHO published interim guidance that provides advice on adjusting PHSM, while managing the risk of resurgence of cases. A series of annexes was developed to help guide countries through adjusting various public health measures in different contexts. This annex shows a pragmatic decision process for adapting PHSM based on epidemiological and public health criteria, and it should be read in conjunction with the interim guidance document. 1 The document presents only public health criteria, while other critical factors, such as economic factors, security-related factors, human rights, food security, and public sentiment, should also be considered. This document is intended for national authorities and decision makers in countries that have introduced large scale PHSM and are considering adjusting them.
Relevant Section:
All
Public Health Emergency Operations Center - A critical component of mass gatherings management infrastructure
This article outlines the essential concepts, elements, design, and operational aspects of public health emergency operations centers during mass gathering events.
Relevant Section:
3 to 5
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Exercise Evaluation Toolkit
The Public Health Exercise Evaluation Toolkit contains information for exercise planners and evaluators to use when preparing to conduct and evaluate any form of emergency preparedness exercise.
Relevant Section:
All
Public health worker competencies for emergency response
This article provides results from a project that aimed to develop emergency preparedness and response competencies for public health workers and reports on methods that may be used to develop competencies in other areas of public health practice.
Relevant Section:
80-81
Questionnaire: Biosecurity Gap Analysis--Facility Level
Example of a questionnaire for use in conducting a facility level biosecurity gaps assessment.
Relevant Section:
1-3
Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Assistance Network Directory
The directory of the members of WHO REMPAN - Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Response Network
Relevant Section:
All
Rapid hospital readiness checklist: Interim Guidance
Countries can use this checklist of hospital governance, structures, plans and protocols to rapidly determine the current capacities of hospitals to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify gaps and major areas that require investment and action for the development of hospital readiness improvement plans. The tool can be used periodically to monitor hospital emergency operational readiness capacity development
Relevant Section:
All
Rational use of personal protective equipment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and considerations during severe shortages
This document summarizes WHO recommendations for the rational use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in health care settings and temporary strategies during acute supply shortages. This document also contains 2 Annex sections describing updated PPE use recommendations for health workers based on the transmission scenario, setting, and activity in the context of COVID-19 (Annex 1), and updated considerations for the decontamination or reprocessing of PPE (Annex 2). This guidance is intended for public health authorities, organizations, and focal persons involved in decisions regarding PPE distribution, management, and use by health workers.
Relevant Section:
All
Replicating success: developing a standard FETP curriculum
This article describes the process that was used to develop a standard curriculum based on 15 public health competencies.
Relevant Section:
All
Resource mapping and impact analysis on health security investment (REMAP)
The REMAP tool helps countries meet the requirements of the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) by facilitating the mobilization of financial and technical resources for implementation of National Action Plans for Health Security (NAPHS) and other country plans with relevance to health security. The tool supports countries in donor coordination, identifying gaps and needs, monitoring of plan implementation, and in the linkage of different plans to increase efficiency and achieve synergies.
Relevant Section:
All
Responding to community spread of COVID-19
This document provides guidance for responding to community transmission of COVID-19. This document also compiles technical guidance for government authorities, health workers, and other key stakeholders to guide response to community spread. It will be updated as new information or technical guidance become available. For countries that are already preparing or responding, this document can also serve as a checklist to identify any remaining gaps.
Relevant Section:
All
Responding to global infectious disease outbreaks: lessons from SARS on the role of risk perception, communication and management
This article examines the role that risk, and especially the perception and communication of risk played in driving the economic impact of 2003 SARS outbreak.
Relevant Section:
All
Risk communication and community engagement readiness and response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
This document provides WHO checklists for risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) readiness and initial response for novel coronaviruses (nCoV) recently identified in Wuhan, China (2019-nCoV). The objective of this document is to provide actionable guidance for countries to implement effective RCCE strategies which will help protect the public’s health in the early response to nCoV. This document includes recommended RCCE goals and actions for countries preparing for nCoV cases and for countries that have confirmed -nCoV cases.
Relevant Section:
All
Risk communication in the context of Zika virus
This document is an example of interim guidance for effective risk communication for Zika virus transmission and potential complications from infection.
Relevant Section:
All
Safe Eid al Adha practices in the context of COVID-19
This document highlights public health advice for social and religious practices and gatherings during Eid al Adha that can be applied across different national contexts.
Relevant Section:
All
Safe Ramadan practices in the context of the COVID-19
The holy month of Ramadan (mid-April to mid-May 2021) is marked by social and religious gatherings. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative to observe the holiday with caution and care. This document provides up-to-date public health advice that can be applied across different national contexts to make Ramadan-related activities safer.
Relevant Section:
All
SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (An Implementation Guide)
This guide provides an overview of the major elements that must be considered before, during and after the implementation of antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) for SARS-CoV-2. This guide is complementary to policy guidance issued by the World Health Organization (WHO). The guide may appeal to a range of audiences including Ministries of Health, donors, public and private organizations/agencies acting as implementing partners and community based and civil society organizations with experience working on health, especially organizations familiar with similar testing campaigns for other disease programs like HIV and malaria.
Relevant Section:
All
Scaling Up, Saving Lives
This report calls for a rapid and significant scaling up of the education and training of health workers as part of a broader effort to strengthen health systems and highlights the importance of training to meet a country’s own health needs.
Relevant Section:
Ch 3/4, Ch 8, Ch 7, Ch 5
Severe Acute Respiratory Infections Treatment Centre (practical manual to set up and manage a severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) treatment centre and a SARI screening facility in health-care facilities)
This is the first edition of the practical manual to set up and manage a severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) treatment centre and a SARI screening facility in health-care facilities. The document has been developed to meet the operational needs emerging with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Relevant Section:
All
Sixty-Eighth World Health Assembly: Provisional agenda item 16.1 – Global health emergency workforce
This document by the WHO-Director General contains a conceptual plan for a workforce established to respond to acute or protracted risks and emergencies with health consequences.
Relevant Section:
All
Strengthening health security by implementing the International Health Regulations (2005)
All WHO resources for training, planning and implementing simulation exercises can be found here
Relevant Section:
All
Strengthening Preparedness for COVID-19 in Cities and Urban Settings
This document is to support local authorities, leaders and policy-makers in cities and other urban settlements in identifying effective approaches and implementing recommended actions that enhance the prevention, preparedness and readiness for COVID-19 in urban settings, to ensure a robust response and eventual recovery. It covers factors unique to cities and urban settings, considerations in urbam preparedness, key areas of focus and preparing for future emergencies.
Relevant Section:
Pages 5-7
Summary report of systematic reviews for public health emergency operations centres
This WHO report summarized the methodology, results and conclusions of = four systematic reviews conducted on EOCs.
Relevant Section:
All
Sustainable Model for Public Health Emergency Operations Centers for Global Settings
This article presents two case studies to examine how to develop sustainable models for public health emergency operation centers.
Relevant Section:
All
Target product profiles for priority diagnostics to support response to the COVID-19 pandemic v.1.0
The target audience are all those working to evaluate assays for COVID-19 or to develop new assays for COVID-19. The document is also aimed at those developing COVID-19 assays that have not yet reached the clinical testing phase. This document is relevant to those groups who wish to obtain WHO policy recommendations for use and WHO prequalification for their products.
Relevant Section:
All
Training and service in public health, Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training, 2008 - 2014
This article presents an overview of the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program of Nigeria – describing its history, objectives, and successes from its establishment in 2008 through 2014.
Relevant Section:
All
Training the Global Public Health Workforce Through Applied Epidemiology Training Programs: CDC’s Experience, 1951–2011
This article describes the long history and experiences of the U.S. CDC in developing training programs for field epidemiologists and also describes more recent efforts to strengthen the competencies of different cadres of public health staff.
Relevant Section:
All
Tripartite Joint Risk Assessment (JRA) tool
This tool supports national human and animal health sectors to jointly assess health risks from zoonotic disease. It supports decision-makers to build and implement science-based risk management measures and communication messages aligned between sectors or implemented jointly.
Relevant Section:
All
What are the best ways to engage communities in emergency risk
communication activities to respond to events/ contexts?
This literature review summarizes the best practices for engaging communities, in preparing for and responding to emergencies with public health implications.
Relevant Section:
29-49
What have we learned about communication inequalities during the
H1N1 pandemic: a systematic review of the literature
This literature review characterizes the scientific literature that examined issues related to communications to the public during the H1N1 pandemic.
Relevant Section:
7-11
What should the African health workforce know about disasters? Proposed competencies for strengthening public health disaster risk management education in Africa
This article presents competencies and training curricula that were identified through a collaboration between the World Health Organization and WHO-AFRO, describes the stages of their development, and proposes recommendations for their completion and integration into the curricula of African public health training institutions.
Relevant Section:
All
WHO 2019 nCov Lab Assessment Tool Data
This tool has been designed to assess the capacity of laboratories that have implemented or intend to implement testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The tool is a shortened version of the 2012 Laboratory assessment tool that is widely used to assess national laboratory systems and the capacity of laboratories.
Relevant Section:
All
WHO COVID-19 essential supplies forecasting tool (COVID-ESFT)
The WHO COVID-19 Essential Supplies Forecasting Tool (ESFT) assists governments, partners, and other stakeholders to forecast the necessary volume of personal protective equipment, diagnostic equipment, consumable medical supplies, biomedical equipment for case management, and essential drugs for supportive care and treatment of COVID-19. The tool provides the user with a choice among several epidemiological methods for forecasting COVID-19 cases, including an integration with Imperial College’s Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Removed (SEIR) model.
Relevant Section:
All
WHO mass gathering COVID-19 risk assessment tool – Religious events
The content of this Risk Assessment tool has been updated to reflect new WHO guidance and new evidence on both COVID-19 and mass gatherings, as well as feedback from end-users. Additional improvements have been made to the way the information is organized and presented: the Decision Tree is now built into the tool and a new tab dedicated to Risk Communication has been added. The expanded tool now includes six tabs: 1. Instructions; 2. Decision Tree; 3. Risk Evaluation; 4. Risk Mitigation; 5. Decision Matrix; 6. Risk Communication.
Relevant Section:
All
WHO One Health discussion in RRT knowledge network
This video collection will guide the participants in integrating a One Health approach in the work of the Rapid Response Teams.
Relevant Section:
All
WHO One Health online course (90min)
This course is free and geared to professionals from human, animal or environmental health sectors involved in the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005).
Objectives are to (i) Describe the One Health approach and principles of multisectoral collaboration; (ii) Provide examples of how a One Health approach may be taken to address a health threat or disease event; and (iii) Explain how a One Health approach contributes to a functional national health system, including national IHR implementation, evaluation, and capacity building.
Relevant Section:
All
WHO One Health training tool-kit (33 hours)
This tool-kit of 10 items (6 learning activities and 4 case studies) aims to provide a basic understanding on both the legislative and technical components of the human-animal-environment health interface to help participants identify how they relate to the IHR and supports their effective implementation. Includes also a Reading list and a facilitator’s guide. The target audience is academia, NGO or development agencies who wish to conduct training on the One Health approach in the framework of the IHR.
Relevant Section:
All
WHO recommendations to reduce risk of transmission of emerging pathogens from animals to humans in live animal markets or animal product markets
This document provides recommendations to reduce risk of transmission of emerging pathogens from animals to humans in live animal markets or animal product markets
Relevant Section:
All
WHO simulation exercise manual, guidance & tools
This exercise manual has been designed to meet the needs of WHO, its Member States and its partners to support and develop exercise practitioners’ competency to plan, implement and evaluate simulation exercises. The manual complements existing WHO exercise methodologies, helping ensure common understandings
and approaches across the organization. It describes how exercise teams work, and can supplement future training courses for WHO staff, ministries of health, governments, and preparedness and response partners.
Relevant Section:
All
Law and the JEE: Lessons for IHR Implementation
This article uses 3 case studies to describe a role for law in IHR implementation. It highlights the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Global Health Security Public Health Law Project and describes how legal mapping data and the resources developed are being used by countries to strengthen health systems and support IHR implementation
Relevant Section:
All
Legislative assessments as a tool for strengthening health security capacity: the example of Guinea post-2014 Ebola outbreak
Following the 2014-2016 Ebola crisis in West Africa, the President of Guinea established a new agency solely dedicated to preparedness and response to public health emergencies. This paper presents the results of a research project to assess the legal and regulatory basis for activities related to public health emergencies management across the Guinean
Relevant Section:
All
IHR Implementation in Nigerian Law
Mapping of Legal Authorities and Analysis of Legislation at Federal Level. This included an analysis of existing laws for disease surveillance, detection and response; port health; quarantine services; food safety and others. This document describes findings from this assessment including strengths in existing laws, gaps where they exist and recommendations to strengthen the legal framework for IHR implementation in Nigeria. It provides detailed findings, which can also serve as guidance document for countries that want to create more robust and effective national public health capacities.
Relevant Section:
All
The International Health Regulations (2005) - Toolkit for implementation in national legislation: The National IHR Focal Point
was developed by the Secretariat of the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to requests for guidance on legislative implementation of the requirements concerning the designation or establishment and functioning of the National IHR Focal Point (NFP) under the International Health Regulations (2005) ("IHR (2005)" or "Regulations"). This toolkit complements other related legal guidance on the role and assessment of national legislation for IHR (2005) implementation, including the legislative reference and assessment tool and compilation of examples of legislation
Relevant Section:
All
Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) Legal Framework Guide: A Guide for the Development of a Legal Framework to Authorize the Establishment and Operationalization of a PHEOC
This document provides the required guidance to Member States for establishing and/or strengthening legal authorities for a PHEOC and describes the process of developing or amending country-specific legal frameworks. It will serve as a reference to the Member States of the African Region to adapt their PHEOC legal instruments as necessary, in line with the laws and practices of each sovereign state. The PHEOC legal framework guide also includes information on the stakeholder engagement process and key considerations for potential inclusion in the national sphere of each Member State
Relevant Section:
All
Gender in Infectious Disease Epidemic Preparedness and Response (GENPAR) Toolkit (English)
GENPAR, or the Gender in Infectious Disease Epidemic Preparedness And Response Toolkit, is a set of benchmarks
and tools to integrate gender into select core capacities of the International Health Regulations (IHR)
2005, namely:
1 Surveillance
2 National laboratory system
3 Human resources
4 Emergency preparedness and emergency response operations
5 Risk communication
6 Community engagement
And capacities such as:
7 RMNCAH as essential services in outbreaks
8 Gender-based violence in epidemics, and
9 Animal health
Relevant Section:
All
Gender mainstreaming for health managers: a practical approach
Contemporary public health mandates include addressing a wide range of determinants of health such as sex, gender, poverty and equity. This Manual focuses on gender as a determinant of health for women and men and the particular ways that gender equality contributes to better health outcomes for women and girls. In particular, this Manual addresses how gender norms, roles and relations affect health-related behaviours and outcomes as well as health sector responses. At the same time, it recognizes that gender inequality is a cross-cutting determinant of health that operates in conjunction with other forms of discrimination based on such factors as age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity or place of origin and sexual orientation. The Manual provides a basis for addressing other forms of health- related discrimination.
Relevant Section:
All
Mainstreaming gender within the WHO Health Emergencies Programme: 2022–2026 strategy
This Strategy aims to provide guidance on how to systemically analyze and address relevant gender issues across WHE policies and programmes, to enable WHE work to contribute to gender equity and equality, which in turn will strengthen health emergency programming at all levels. It also provides strategic direction to facilitate how WHE can respond to the specific gender-based needs and risks that women, men, girls and boys and people with diverse gender identities experience as a consequence of health emergencies, in ways that improve the design and delivery of WHE policies and programmes, and contribute to reducing gender-inequalities including morbidity and mortality but also the medium and long term socio-economic effects of emergencies.
Relevant Section:
All
Online Resources
An educational and advocacy project initiated by people interested in gender relations in disaster contexts.
The Gender Handbook for Humanitarian Action
The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) published the original Women,
Girls, Boys and Men. Different Needs — Equal Opportunities: Gender Handbook in Humanitarian Action in 2006. The purpose of the handbook was to provide humanitarian actors with guidance on gender analysis, planning and actions to ensure that the needs, priorities and capacities of women, girls, men and boys are considered in all aspects of humanitarian response. The first edition predated the more recent humanitarian reform and Transformative Agenda processes and as such, did not reflect the current iteration of the sector system, the IASC Gender Marker, the Humanitarian Programme Cycle and other advances in humanitarian coordination, leadership, accountability and partnership. After wide consultations
with IASC members, sector leaders, field users and donors, the Gender Handbook has been updated. The revised version is a concise guide built upon lessons learned by the humanitarian community and reflects the main challenges faced in ensuring that gender is adequately integrated into humanitarian planning and programming. The handbook is complemented by detailed information found in the regularly updated online platform. The review of the handbook was undertaken by the IASC Gender Reference Group in 2016. It was endorsed by the IASC to meet collective commitments on gender equality in humanitarian action
Relevant Section:
All
Guide for analysis and monitoring of gender equity in health policies
This instrument seeks to broaden the definition of equity that has guided
the evaluation of health system reform policies introduced in the
Region since the 1990s, which has tended to focus on economic criteria
and overlook other major dimensions of inequality such as gender. It is
intended to help elucidate the implications of such policies for gender
equity, recognizing, of course, that they will vary depending on a country’s
specific circumstances. The guide provides a basis for discussion and advocacy in a process aimed at building consensus around the identification
of problems, the establishment of priorities for action, the formulation
or reformulation of policy objectives, and the definition of indicators
and strategies for monitoring application of the resulting policies.
Relevant Section:
All
Taking Sex and Gender into account in Infectious Disease Programmes
This is a course that aims to strengthen the capabilities of public health policy and programme managers in incorporating a gender perspective into disease management. Participants learn to apply an analytical framework for understanding how sex and gender affect and interact with emerging infectious diseases.
Relevant Section:
All