The World Health Organization (WHO) wrapped up Exercise Polaris II, a 2-day high-level simulation exercise, based around an outbreak of a fictional new bacterium spreading across the world. Bringing together 26 countries and territories, 600 health emergency experts and over 25 partners, the exercise, which took place on 22 and 23 April, allowed countries to…
The World Health Organization (WHO) today launched its 2026 global appeal to ensure that millions of people living in humanitarian crises and conflicts can access health care. In 2025, WHO and partners supported 30 million people funded through its annual emergency appeal. These resources helped deliver life-saving vaccination to 5.3 million children, enabled 53 million…
Health emergencies are situations that pose a significant threat to public and global health. They can affect many countries simultaneously and may be caused by an increasing range of hazards including infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters, chemical and radio nuclear incidents, food contamination, humanitarian crises, and threats associated with climate change including extreme weather events…
Brazzaville — In response to the growing mental health needs triggered by public health emergencies or natural disasters in the African region, World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with countries to integrate mental health and psychosocial support into every stage of emergency response, aiming to have at least 80% of countries with functional mental…
About 305 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2025. Every emergency has two faces: one in shattered infrastructure (hospitals, schools, homes), the other in disrupted lives. We must respond to both. One in five people in emergencies lives with a mental health condition – yet mental health support is still treated in…
