As countries are often dealing with concurrent threats of cyclones, disease outbreaks, flood, earthquakes, conflicts etc, at any given time, gaining understanding of risks in both single hazard and multi-hazard contexts is the basis for sound risk management. This risk-informed approach to managing emergencies and disasters is a global agenda in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), Paris Agreement on Climate Change, International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Framework (Health EDRM).
In November 2021, WHO published the all
hazards Strategic
Toolkit for Assessing Risks (STAR), an evidence-based, inclusive
and multi-sectorial approach, which enables countries to rapidly conduct a
strategic assessment of public health risks for planning and prioritization
of health emergency and disaster risk management activities. STAR
has been adapted for strategic risk assessment in multiple country contexts,
including districts/community, hospital and distinct hazard-focused (climate
change, infectious hazards) risk assessments.
Objectives
- Promote good practices of strategic risk assessment for all hazards in countries.
- Share the lessons learned from using STAR to conduct strategic risk assessment and develop the country risk profile.
- Share the experience of using the country risk profile to improve preparedness capacities in countries for better risk management.
Tentative Topics
- STAR Global overview
- Conducting strategic risk assessment in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Using the country risk profile to inform capacity development planning (NAPHS)
- Using country risk profile for action and planning in humanitarian contex
- Using STAR for subnational/climate change risk assessment
- Using the country risk profile for early warning and early actions
- Strategic risk assessment in hospitals
(STAR-H): PAHO experience
Speakers
Dr Stella Chungong, Director, Health Security Preparedness, WHO
Dr Kingsley Bieh, Disaster Risk Management and Resilience Unit, WHO
Dr Mahendra Arnold, Deputy Director General, Public Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
Mr Veaceslav Gutu, Deputy Director, National Agency for Public Health, Moldova
Dr Nasr Ali Ahmed Mohammed, Whole of Syria Health Cluster Coordinator
Dr Dick Chamla, Programme Area Manager Emergency Preparedness, WHO AFRO
Dr Alex Camacho, Regional Advisor on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction, WHO PAHO/AMRO
Dr Qudsia Huda, Unit Head, Disaster Risk Management and Resilience (DRR) Unit, WHO
Ms Rowena Capistrano, WHO Country Office Philippines, WHO WPRO