In 2023, WHO Director-General provided a summary of the initiatives underway to strengthen the global architecture for Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience (HEPR). A key element of this framework is Community Protection, which places affected communities at the center of health emergency decisions and actions. This approach involves three integrated areas:
- Technical Approaches: Engaging communities through risk communication, infodemic management, and community engagement to guide priority actions and strengthen resilience.
- Public Health Interventions: Implementing measures to control outbreaks and mitigate their impact.
- Multisectoral Action: Addressing the social and economic impacts of emergencies through coordinated efforts.
In collaboration with IFRC and UNICEF, WHO convened a WHA77 side event on May 30, 2024 to emphasize the importance of community protection for effective health emergency management. The event was opened by WHO Executive Director Dr. Mike Ryan, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban, and IFRC Director for Health and Care Department Dr. Petra Khoury.
Hosted by the Community Readiness and Resilience Unit, Country Readiness Strengthening Department of the WHO Health Emergency Programme, this event brought together global and local networks, partner agencies, and civil society organizations. Through presentations and panel discussions, the meeting aimed to:
- Review best practices and progress in community-centered health emergency management,
- Identify challenges and key actions to enhance community protection,
- Discuss collaboration modalities to strengthen the network dedicated to community protection.
The event sought to define progress, identify gaps, and set priorities for action to deliver strengthened community protection outcomes, ensuring communities are better prepared, resilient, and capable of responding effectively to public health emergencies.