African Architecture for Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience

Africa experiences more outbreaks and health emergencies than any other continent of the world, many of which are preventable or controllable with proven public health interventions. Across the continent, over 260 epidemics, disasters and other public health emergencies occurred between 2016 and 2018, and the frequency of these events is expected to increase.

Over the past several years, African countries have made significant progress addressing health emergencies guided by various frameworks, including the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005), the Technical Guidelines for Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), as well as countries’ National Action Plans for Health Security (NAPHS). For example, the median time to end outbreaks in the WHO African Region has decreased from 131 days in 2017 to 45 days in 2019. However, challenges remain as public health crises continue to cost lives, overwhelm health systems and disrupt livelihoods.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need for robust country capacity for health emergencies in Africa and around the world, sparking more than 200 global recommendations, including by the Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness & Response (IPPPR), the International Health Regulations (IHR) Review Committee and the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee (IOAC) for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme. At the 150th meeting of the WHO Executive Board in January, the Director-General committed to develop proposals, in consultation with Member States, on Strengthening the Global Architecture for Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience, which will be presented at the 2022 World Health Assembly.

With a view towards a strengthened global architecture for emergencies for better health security, African Member States, with special gratitude to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO AFRO and EMRO, with Africa CDC and partners will be meeting on the sidelines of the 2022 World Health Assembly to examine the evolution of Africa’s emergency, preparedness, and response architecture. Recognizing the ongoing leadership of the co-hosting African governments, the event will highlight joint projects by WHO and Africa CDC, and will explore the role of global partnerships in bolstering health security in Africa.