Event highlights

The WHO Country Office in Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, WHO/Europe and partners, conducted a full-scale simulation exercise in Odessa to strengthen national preparedness and response to potential waterborne disease outbreaks.

“Preparedness, together with strong coordination at all levels involved, saves lives,” explained Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine. “This simulation exercise in Odessa was crucial to test how Ukraine’s health system can respond to a potential waterborne outbreak under the pressures of war and environmental risks. By bringing together national and local partners, we identified vulnerabilities and ensured that in a real emergency, preventive and response actions will be faster, more effective and better coordinated to protect communities.”

Over the course of 4 days, more than 150 participants representing health authorities, laboratories, emergency services and partner organizations tested their ability to coordinate, investigate and respond to a simulated outbreak scenario. The exercise focused on interagency coordination, swift deployment of rapid response teams and mobile laboratories, epidemiological investigations, case management, risk communication, and collaboration among national and local authorities as well as with WHO.

A wide range of critical response functions were also tested, including coordination; information management; surveillance and case investigation; laboratory diagnostics; clinical management; infection prevention and control; risk communication and community engagement; and logistics related to water, sanitation and hygiene.

The exercise highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement. Strong collaboration across sectors and timely information-sharing were noted, while opportunities were identified to further strengthen response capacities. Lessons learned will contribute directly to enhancing Ukraine’s preparedness capacities and refining contingency plans to protect public health in emergency situations.

Dr Ihor Perehinets, WHO/Europe’s Regional Emergency Director, noted, “Preparedness is not an option – it is a necessity. This exercise demonstrates our collective commitment to ensuring that even under the most challenging circumstances, Ukraine’s health system remains resilient and ready to protect every community from waterborne threats.”

The event was conducted thanks to financial support from the Asia-Europe Foundation.

Event notice

The WHO Country Office in Ukraine, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, WHO/Europe and partners will conduct a full-scale simulation exercise to strengthen national and local preparedness for potential waterborne disease outbreaks, especially in the context of ongoing war-related risks and vulnerabilities.

The exercise will test real-time decision-making, information-sharing and crisis communication. Lessons learned will inform future preparedness planning, including the refinement of response mechanisms and contingency plans.