Countries face increasing threats from infectious diseases, climate-related disasters, and cross-border public health events. To effectively address these challenges, robust and integrated tools for risk assessment and risk communication are essential. Such systems provide the foundation for evidence-based decision-making and timely public engagement during emergencies.
From 8–12 September 2025, the Ministry of Health Malaysia, in partnership with WHO, brought together 22 representatives from across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for a Risk Assessment and Risk Communication Training of Trainers workshop. Led by WHO, the workshop took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia under the ASEAN Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Network initiative, with funding support from Global Affairs Canada and guidance from the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UK-HSA).
Over the course of five days, participants were trained in risk assessment and risk communication methodologies and related tools designed to facilitate quick actions during emergencies. Participants were also introduced to the Behavioural Research and Intelligence for Directed Guidance in Emergencies (BRIDGE) approach that WHO has promoted across the Western Pacific, which empowers communities during emergencies by centering their voices in response efforts. It provides open-source, adaptable behavioral science data-collection tools, ensuring rapid, high-quality insights.
As part of the training, WHO introduced two of the BRIDGE tools for social listening and risk prioritization. These tools enable countries to systematically capture and analyze community concerns, perceptions, and misinformation in real-time. By doing so, authorities can tailor strategies that address people’s needs, build trust, and counter harmful rumors.
A scenario-based learning experience
The training was designed to be highly interactive and geared toward practical application. Participants engaged in various scenarios and group discussions, replicating the complexities of real-world emergencies. This hands-on approach enabled participants not only to learn concepts but also to practice applying them in scenarios that reflect the realities of public health crises in the region.
Dr Intan Azura, from the Ministry of Health Malaysia highlighted the value of this experiential learning, “We are pleased to host this workshop on behalf of the ASEAN Secretariat, and to see how these tools can be tailored to real emergency situations. The training was very interactive and hands-on, allowing our teams to practice and build confidence in applying the methods. It gives us practical skills we can take home and use right away.”
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Enhancing evidence-based decision making
One of the workshop’s core messages was the importance of integrating behavioural science into emergency response systems. Understanding how people perceive risk, respond to uncertainty, and make decisions during crises is critical to shaping policies and communication strategies that are both effective and trusted.
As Lieke Visser, Risk Communication Technical Officer, WHO Western Pacific Region, emphasized during the sessions, “It is important to enhance the use of behavioural science to support evidence-based decision-making during an emergency. By combining data, science, and community insights, we can ensure that health measures are not only technically sound but also socially accepted.”
This focus reflects WHO’s wider commitment to embedding behavioural and social sciences in health emergency preparedness and response across the Western Pacific Region.
Regional collaboration for stronger emergency preparedness
The ASEAN EOC Network serves as a critical platform for collaboration among Member States, enabling countries to share expertise, coordinate during crises, and strengthen collective preparedness. The Risk Assessment and Risk Communication workshop represents another step in the Network’s commitment to building regional resilience.
With support from partners such as Global Affairs Canada, WHO and ASEAN continue to build capacities that are not only national in scope but also interconnected across borders. This regional solidarity is crucial in responding to health threats that cross borders, including emerging infectious diseases, chemical incidents, and other public health emergencies.
The workshop ensures that knowledge and skills gained in Kuala Lumpur will be applied and scaled across the region. Participants are expected to bring the tools, methods, and experiences back to their home countries, where they can train colleagues and strengthen national emergency response systems.
As global health threats continue to evolve, initiatives like this workshop reaffirm the importance of investing in people, tools, and partnerships. Together, ASEAN Member States, WHO, and partners are laying the groundwork for emergency responses that are fast, coordinated, and trusted by the communities they serve.
WHO’s initiative to strengthen emergency workforce capacities in the Western Pacific region through BRIDGE (Behavioural Research and Intelligence for Directed Guidance in Emergencies) is supported by the Gates Foundation and Institute of Philanthropy.