PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly by the resolution A/RES/75/27; have designated 27 December as International Day of Epidemic Preparedness and invite us to observe the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness annually in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national contexts and priorities, through education and awareness-raising activities, and to highlight the importance of the prevention of, preparedness for and partnership against epidemics. Preparedness for these events (Paandemics and Epidemics) is essential, but there is considerable variation in the ability of countries, and organizations, to respond to outbreaks and other systemic shocks. An effective response requires transdisciplinary, multisectoral approaches with international collaboration to address complex public health emergencies and rapidly scale up responses. Nearly 40 years of collective experience from HIV research has great potential to inform the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on achieving equity in access to services and health outcomes.
FORUM: "Enhance collaboration, cooperation, and equity in responding to pandemics of the future." International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic affected hundreds of millions of lives, caused millions of deaths and inflicted devastating impacts on humanity. After three years of unprecedented global efforts, on 5 May the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency, stressing however, that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat. The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on the need to equip the world and ensure that we are all ready to take on the health challenges to come. We must heed the lessons learnt from the recent pandemic and invest in epidemic preparedness, prevention and response to save the world from the scourge of epidemics. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #EpidemicPreparedness, #27December, #InternationalDayofEpidemicPreparedness.
EVENTS: On December 27th, the World Health Assembly (WHA) and World Health Organization (WHO) will hold a webinar to mark the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2023. The Secretary-General said these efforts are making progress and recalled that the High-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, held in September, concluded with a robust political declaration which complements negotiations underway towards a pandemic accord. The pandemic accord will help to create a safer and healthier world with a universal system of response to disease eruptions, he added.
STATEMENTS: This first-ever global agreement aims to enhance collaboration, cooperation, and equity in responding to pandemics of the future, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his end-of-year message published on Tuesday. “Together, let’s act on the lessons of COVID-19, prepare, and build a fairer, healthier world for all,” said the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the International Day of Epidemic preparedness 2023; December 27th.
PODCASTS: With the absence of international attention, future epidemics could surpass previous outbreaks in terms of intensity and gravity. Get Access the OpenWHO courses on pandemic and epidemic-prone diseases to improve response capabilities. Listen to the Audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Economic damage inflicted by the pandemic endures. Many healthcare systems are struggling. Millions of children are threatened by disease after missing out on routine childhood vaccination. Let’s develop effective measures to prevent and respond to epidemics. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is co-organized by the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Economic and Social Council, (ECOSOC), the World Health Assembly (WHA), the World Health Organization (WHO),
With the collaboration of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the International Epidemiological Association (IEA), the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS), the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE), the German Society of Epidemiology, the Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER), the American College of Epidemiology (ACE), the Harvard Chan School Department of Epidemiology, the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE), the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology (CRIE), the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
With the participation of all U.N. Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other global, regional and subregional organizations, the private sector and civil society, including non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, individuals and other relevant stakeholders
Express the grave concern about the devastating impacts of major infectious diseases and epidemics.
Prevent, mitigate and address the impacts of infectious diseases and epidemics
Underline the urgency of having resilient and robust health systems, reaching those who are vulnerable or in vulnerable situation
Raise the level of preparedness in order to have the earliest and most adequate response to any epidemic that may arise
recognize the value of an integrated One Health approach that fosters integration of human health, animal health and plant health, as well as environmental and other relevant sectors.
Develop capacities necessary to rapidly detect and respond to known vulnerabilities and likely public health emergencies.
Establish effective measures to prevent and respond to epidemics.
Ensure inclusive, equal and non-discriminatory participation to Tackle global health challenges.
Highlight the important role International cooperation and multilateralism in the response to epidemics.
Established in 2020, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/75/27, the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is celebrated every year on December 27th to raise awareness on Epidemic Preparedness and emergency response. The WHO works long-term with Member States to improve operational readiness, and handle the initial impact of emergencies and subsequent recovery. WHO’s work supports countries in meeting their commitments under the International Health Regulations to build capacity for all kinds of public health events. Working in close collaboration with regional and country offices, WHO:
helps countries strengthen their public health surveillance system;
provides risk assessment support in the form of technical guidance and operational support on the ground;
provides guidance on risk communications;
advises countries on establishing or accessing laboratory services;
supports national rapid response team trainings and training of trainers;
conducts simulation exercises to test national, regional, and global capacities to respond to emergencies; and
initiates after action reviews (AAR) after the event to identifying best practices, gaps and lessons learned.
Make a donation.
Donations received through the fund will go towards activities such as:
Suppress transmission through public health and social measures, including detecting and testing cases, tracing and quarantining contacts, shielding high-risk groups
Managing the infodemic and fighting disinformation and misinformation
Protect the most vulnerable by building vaccine acceptance, ensurance vaccine deployment in all countries and carrying out vaccination campaigns
Reduce mortality and morbidity and save lives by ensuring quality care, training of health workforce and access to essential commodities
Accelerate equitable access to new COVID-19 tools, including vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics in all countries
We want to thank all donors and partners who responded with generosity and solidarity