Objectives/functions

The objective is to reduce the health consequences of public health emergencies, natural disasters, and conflict, and minimize their social and economic impact, by effective national and international risk reduction, preparedness, alert, response and recovery actions.

The functions of the programme are:

• To provide public health and operational support to countries in crises with special focus on assessing and monitoring health determinants and outcomes; coordinating health action; filling in gaps; providing guidance, and monitoring the performance of humanitarian action on health and nutrition of affected populations
• To build national capacity in the field of emergency preparedness and response through multi sectoral, multidisciplinary and all hazard approaches
• To establish and maintain national and international operational capacity for rapid response and for leading coordinated action of multiple stakeholders in environmental and food safety during public health emergencies, disasters, conflict and other crises
• To develop WHO's knowledge base, capacity and competencies for preparing and responding to emergencies (best public health practices, operational proficiency, capacity for resource mobilization at country and regional levels)
• To develop partnerships and coordination mechanisms with governments, civil society and networks of collaborating and other centres of excellence to ensure timely and effective interventions when needed
• To leverage the vast array of skills across WHO in support of response to emergencie.