Everyone’s business: Whole-of-society action to manage health risks and reduce socio-economic impacts of emergencies and disasters: Operational guidance

Overview

Emergencies and disasters including epidemics and pandemics, and the measures taken to manage their consequences, have wide-ranging and often severe impacts across societies; they affect health and wellbeing, livelihoods, businesses and economies, and the continuity of essential services. Given the complex interdependencies between different sectors, reducing the risks and impacts of emergencies and disasters requires joined-up action across many sectors at all levels of society, under the leadership of governments. Thus, all actors need to work together, recognizing and having respect for each stakeholder’s roles and contributions, with the response being coordinated through the development and implementation of robust and coherent plans and actions. Managing emergencies and disasters associated with natural, biological, technological and societal hazards – exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic – is “a shared responsibility” and “everyone’s business” . Whole of society action is essential for achieving national unity and global solidarity with respect to managing the risks and impacts of all types of emergencies, overall health security, and the resilience of communities and countries.