WHO’s response to COVID-19 - 2021 Annual Report

Overview

This annual report provides a consolidated update on WHO’s response to the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2021, against the objectives laid out in the updated Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) 2021. It highlights key actions taken by WHO to detect and reduce transmission, protect the vulnerable, and save lives – particularly among fragile and conflict‐affected population groups. Considering the pillars of the COVID-19 response as outlined in the SPRP, activities in the report are reviewed according to four broad strategic priorities:

1. Detecting transmission through strengthened outbreak surveillance systems, robust early warning systems, and shared global knowledge.
2. Reducing exposure and transmission by supporting empowered, engaged, and enabled communities as partners in implementing public health and social measures.
3. Protecting the vulnerable by ensuring equitable access to tests, treatments, and essential supplies, and critically – vaccines.
4. Reducing morbidity and mortality from all causes through building resilient health systems that can prepare for, manage, and adapt to shocks.
   

The report highlights the role of WHO at the global, regional, and local levels, and across the key elements of an effective emergency response – from implementation and operational support, to developing evidence and research, and providing strong coordination and planning. As a technical organization with global convening power, WHO has access to expert networks, collaborating centres, and research and innovation platforms. By working with partners, including UN agency offices around the world, multi-agency and multi-partner operational platforms, regional and national public health and scientific institutes, governments, communities, donors, and the private sector, WHO helped bring the world together to provide direct technical and operational support to countries implementing their national COVID-19 response plans.