WHO Health Emergencies Programme Newsletter
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NEWSLETTER - Issue January 2026
🔆FOCUS THIS MONTH
WHO and partners launch the second round of routine immunization catch-up campaign in the Gaza Strip in January 2026
WHO staff examining a child during the catch-up campaign for routine immunization, nutrition, and growth monitoring in Gaza Strip. © WHO
“This immunization campaign is a lifeline, protecting children’s health and restoring hope for the future. It’s a crucial step in strengthening essential health services and protecting vulnerable children in Gaza who have been cut off for far too long. Yet this is only one piece of the puzzle. Much more is needed, and WHO is working to rebuild Gaza’s fragile health system so every child, every community, can access the care they deserve.”
Dr Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in the occupied Palestinian territory.
🔎2025 AT A GLANCE
50
Graded emergencies in 82 countries and territories, comprising 20 Grade 3 emergencies, requiring the highest level of Organization-wide support*
150
US$ million of emergency supplies delivered to 97 countries and territories to support health emergency preparedness and response**
29.4
US$ million released from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies for 24 emergencies in 33 countries and territories
156
Experts deployed, including 58 via GOARN through the Operational Support Team and 98 via the Standby Partners mechanism
472
Events identified that required response by governments, WHO, and partners, actions that helped prevent disease and save lives
11.8 K
Hours of free training viewed, covering 18 diseases, 117 topics, and 25 languages on OpenWHO.org
Cumulative numbers from 1 January to 31 December 2025. *The highest grading is displayed when an event is regraded multiple times within a year. The total number of affected countries and territories excludes all global or multi-regional emergencies (e.g., COVID-19, Mpox, cholera, dengue). ** From December 2025, this figure reflects a comprehensive overview of all goods dispatched by WHO for preparedness and response to emergencies.
2025 IN REVIEW
Focus on the WHO European Region: A year of health security in action across the WHO European Region
MORE STORIES FROM THE FIELD
Response
Act Fast, Save Lives
Successful containment of Marburg Virus Disease in Ethiopia with WHO technical and operational support
Around 1.3 million people affected by severe flooding in Southern Africa
Drought leaves over two million vulnerable to health and nutrition crises in Kenya
WHO welcomes Japan’s continued humanitarian support for health services in Afghanistan
Cambodia–Thailand border conflict: WHO responds to the urgent health needs of affected communities
UN agencies welcome news that famine has been pushed back in the Gaza Strip, but warn fragile gains could be reversed without increased and sustained support
Sri Lanka Floods and landslides – Cyclonic storm Ditwah
Preparedness and Readiness
Build Resilience Together
Testing the system: Regional simulation exercises advance global health security
Grab and go: enabling Vanuatu's national Emergency Medical Team to master emergency response logistics
Syria advances a nationally led public health response to substance use through inter-ministerial action
Ministry of Health of Brazil, PAHO/WHO, GOARN and partners strengthen regional leadership in health emergencies
Restoring dignity and safety through WASH: a new chapter for Marib and Matna hospitals
WHO prequalifies the first two rapid antigen detection tests for COVID-19
GOARN Global Meeting of Partners 2025
Learning and Capacity Development
Knowledge for Action
What’s new?
OpenWHO has launched two new self-paced courses to support public health preparedness and response:
Mass casualty management
Community first aid response course
Related Resources
. WHO Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme (WHE)
· WHO's Health Emergency Appeal 2025
· Global Health Emergency Corps
· GOARN
· Emergency Medical Teams
· OpenWHO
· Health Cluster
· EPI-WIN
· WHO Publications and Technical Guidance
· Disease Outbreak News
· Health Security Learning Platform
