WHO’s work in emergencies: prepare, prevent, detect and respond

Overview

Outbreaks of infectious disease, disasters, and conflict have reinforced the reality that the world remains vulnerable to health emergencies that can have a global impact. Significant gaps remain in the capacity of many countries to manage all-hazards health emergencies and disaster risk.

In recent years, WHO has taken on more of an operational role than ever before. Protracted conflict and weak health systems mean that many countries cannot deliver basic health, nutrition and social services. It is in these vulnerable settings where most deaths among children under five occur, as well as the highest rates of maternal mortality, unintended pregnancy, sexual and genderbased violence, malnutrition, mental disorders, under immunization, and infectious disease outbreaks.