WHO's role in health emergencies

In an emergency, every minute counts. When a health crisis hits, WHO is already on the ground ready to assess needs and public health risks, and rapidly deploy and scale up a response that saves lives and protects health.

As the Health Cluster Lead for emergencies, we work at the centre of the health response in humanitarian crises –  coordinating teams across health ministries, UN agencies, and over 900 operational partners. This role ensures collaborative efforts and that no health need remains unmet.

We use our expertise to match the right solutions to the highest priority needs, protecting health and minimising the knock-on effects of crises.

Ensuring preparedness and readiness

Our focus on preparedness enables a rapid and efficient response. We put systems in place to detect emerging threats, train local staff on emergency responses, and ensure supplies are in place.

Detecting threats

WHO’s global surveillance system picks up public health threats 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our Public Health Intelligence system is designed to detect signals of potential internal public health concern and track new health events globally.

Assessing and monitoring risks

Once an event is verified, WHO assesses and grades the level of risk and sounds the alarm to help protect populations from the consequences of outbreaks, disasters, conflict and other hazards. We quickly implement steps to minimize the knock-one effects of crises, such as strengthening monitoring systems and introducing prevention measures.

Acting as first-responder

With dedicated teams in 150 countries, our public health experts, scientists, doctors and field officers are already on the ground and able to serve as the first responder. As a trusted, neutral partner to governments and ministries of health, WHO often delivers lifesaving care in areas others can’t access; in many conflict-affected and humanitarian settings, WHO staff even act as a provider of last resort care.

Co-ordinating a rapid response

Rapid and well-co-ordinated action saves lives, protects health, and minimizes the impact of health emergencies. As health cluster lead, WHO is responsible for rapidly directing a strategic response across hundreds of partners – ensuring that the right people and the right medical supplies are in the right place at the right time.

Deploying surge workforce capacity

WHO’s emergency workforce can be rapidly deployed to provide additional support during health emergencies. This includes operational partnerships such as Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), Emergency Medical Teams, Standby Partnerships Programme and the Global Health Cluster.

Adapting to unique local environments

Every emergency is different. WHO works with a vast network of local actors to ensure that the best local health solutions are provided in the right context, to the right people at the right time. We recognise the importance of local knowledge in times of crisis and are committed to strengthening the long-term recovery and resilience of health systems.

Delivering specialist supplies

Our global infrastructure and local presence allows us to play a critical role in the rapid transport and delivery of large volumes of specialist medical supplies and countermeasures, such as trauma and emergency surgery kits, vaccines, and birthing kits.

Providing global leadership and advocacy

WHO is the trusted authority on health. Our global health diplomacy advocates for patients, healthcare, and adherence to international law, International Health Regulations (IHR), keeping health at the centre of emergency discussions.

Supporting recovery

We provide ongoing support to national governments, helping increase the quality and coverage of health services –  primary and acute care, surveillance systems, and on training the health workforce – building health systems that are resilient to future threats.