GLOSSARY of Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Terminology

Overview

This Glossary is designed for the policymakers, practitioners and other stakeholders who work in the many fields that contribute to reducing the health risks and consequences of all types of emergencies and disasters. It was developed to remedy the lack of standardized terminology in the field of Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health EDRM), which had become apparent during the process of establishing the WHO Health Emergencies Programme and developing the Health EDRM Framework.

Given the multi-disciplinary and cross-sectoral nature of the field, the lack of clarity risked causing misunderstanding, confusion and an ongoing proliferation of undefined terms. This Glossary of Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Terminology was therefore developed to address the need for a standardized terminology to inform and describe the policies and practices associated with Health EDRM and to serve as a companion document for the Health EDRM Framework.

A wide range of subject matter experts – from Member States, United Nations agencies and nongovernmental organizations, professional associations and academia and WHO departments at HQ and its Regional Offices – have contributed to the development of this Glossary, both directly through virtual consultations and in a face-to-face technical workshop held in November 2018, and indirectly through the publication of the many sources that this Glossary draws upon.

In any field, the terminology and respective definitions will, of course, continue to evolve over time; WHO therefore envisages that in future years this Glossary will be subject to rigorous review and revision to ensure that it keeps pace with changes in Health EDRM and related fields and continues to be the valuable tool that it is today.

It is hoped that the common usage and shared understanding of terms facilitated by the use of this Glossary will enable all actors, sectors and communities to work together more effectively, both within and between countries, so that all people are able to experience the highest possible standard of health and well-being, through stronger community and country resilience, health security, universal health coverage and sustainable development.