EPI-WIN digest 23 - STAR experience in managing health emergencies and disasters, including climate crisis in countries

Overview

As countries are often dealing with concurrent threats of cyclones, disease outbreaks, flood, earthquakes, conflicts etc, at any given time, gaining understanding of risks in both single hazard and multi-hazard contexts is the basis for sound risk management. This risk-informed approach to managing emergencies and disasters is a global agenda in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), Paris Agreement on Climate Change, International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Framework (Health EDRM). 

In November 2021, WHO published the all hazards Strategic Toolkit for Assessing Risks (STAR), an evidence-based, inclusive and multi-sectorial approach, which enables countries to rapidly conduct a strategic assessment of public health risks for planning and prioritization of health emergency and disaster risk management activities. STAR has been adapted for strategic risk assessment in multiple country contexts, including districts/community, hospital and distinct hazard-focused (climate change, infectious hazards) risk assessments.

For further information, please watch the EPI-WIN Webinar 'STAR experience in managing health emergencies and disasters, including climate crisis in countries'.