Component 9: Climate-related emergency preparedness and management

Building preparedness, response capacity and health security in communities and health systems is critical. Outbreaks and health emergencies triggered by extreme weather events are primary concerns of climate change. 

As climate change increases in magnitude, climate-related emergencies and disasters will continue to rise causing cascading damages and losses in ecological and human systems resulting in unprecedented losses. National emergency operation plans that apply an all-hazards strategy, comprehensive emergency management principles and whole-of-society approaches are necessary. The Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (H-EDRM) framework is a rights-based approach to developing national strategies for emergencies and disasters. The implementation of EDRM in health systems – considering climate change risks and low-carbon operations – contributes to building climate resilience and to protecting population health. Community-based actions are at the forefront of protecting health in emergencies and disasters, including those related to extreme weather events. Policies, programmes, and strategies related to reducing health risks from climate change and related emergencies and disasters require multisectoral action with community participation (such as health workforce, various community groups, women groups, private sectors, key health-determining sectors, and private sector) in health decision making.  Ensuring equity – particularly for vulnerable populations and regions at risk, including rights-based gender-sensitive issues, and environmental sustainability measures – is an important consideration in climate-smart policies and protocols for emergency and disaster risk management strategies. For more information on the objectives, example outputs and indicators for climate-related emergency preparedness and management, see the WHO Operational Framework for building climate-resilient and low carbon health systems (under resources).