Marshall Islands applies WHO’s Strategic Toolkit for Assessing Risk (STAR) for the first time in the North Pacific

The Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS) in collaboration with WHO, developed a national profile of prioritized risks using the Strategic Toolkit for Assessing Risk (STAR) – becoming the first country in the North Pacific to do so. 

Kumiti Ejmour, a Marshallese saying which means “health is a shared responsibility”, is how Secretary of MOHHS, Francyne Wase-Jacklick, opened the multisectoral STAR workshop hosted from 20 to 23 January 2025 in Majuro, capital city of the Marshall Islands. Led by MOHHS, with WHO technical support, it included 27 participants from six different government and non-governmental agencies, including National Disaster Management Office, the Republic of the Marshall Islands Ports Authority and international partners such as International Organization for Migration and the Marshall Islands Red Cross Society. 

Together participants worked through a step-by-step process to identify hazards and the related health consequences that have the potential to impact the Marshall Islands. A total of 18 biological, societal, technological and weather-related hazards were identified as the most important. The national risk profile also includes the likelihood, impact and seasonality of each hazard.  

In countries like the Marshall Islands, where there is a small health workforce, consensus on the prioritization of greatest risks is critical to dedicate limited resources efficiently. Having the input of different sectors is essential because risks are cross-cutting and require a coordinated response. 

“This is not just a routine exercise,” said Dr Josaia Tiko, Acting WHO Representative to Northern Micronesia, which includes the Marshall Islands. “STAR is a critical component of the Marshall Islands’ ongoing efforts to protect the health and well-being of our communities.” 

With this one tool, the Marshall Islands generated results that can be used in many ways. The prioritized national risk profile informs International Health Regulations (2005) core capacities, to develop, for example, a National Action Plan for Health Security, a Risk Communications and Community Engagement Strategy and emergency preparedness and response planning at the national and subnational level. 

Together with Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands, the Marshall Islands is yet another country in the Pacific to utilize the STAR methodology to develop a national risk profile and better prepare for hazards that affect health.  

Through the development of a risk profile, WHO supports countries to plan for and manage health emergencies at the national and subnational levels as aligned with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).