Health Emergencies Newsletter #44

As global health threats evolve, WHO Europe's Health Emergency Programme (WHE) protects people's lives in 53 countries, including the EU and Central Asia.

Read on to learn more about how WHE prepares for, detects and responds to health emergencies. 

TOP STORY

World Health Assembly adopts historic Pandemic Agreement to make the world more equitable and safer from future pandemics

Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) formally adopted by consensus the world's first Pandemic Agreement. The landmark decision by the 78^th World Health Assembly culminates more than three years of intensive negotiations launched by governments in response to the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and driven by the goal of making the world safer from – and more equitable in response to – future pandemics.

• Agreement’s adoption follows three years of intensive negotiation launched due to gaps and inequities identified in national and global COVID-19 response.
• Agreement boosts global collaboration to ensure stronger, more equitable response to future pandemics.
• Next steps include negotiations on Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing system.

PREPAREDNESS

Public health advice for visitors attending the Jubilee 2025 in Italy

Thirty-nine years after Chornobyl – how is WHO helping Member States strengthen health security against chemical, biological and radio-nuclear threats?

WHO launches first-ever collaborating centre on risk communication, community engagement and infodemic management

Strengthening knowledge and skill in infection prevention and control in Ukraine

Communicating the climate crisis: the scientists contending with disinformation and climate anxiety

Strengthening hospital emergency response planning in Ukraine

First strategic risk assessment in Cyprus: a key step towards achieving greater health security 

 DETECTION

WHO provides laboratory equipment to enhance diagnostics in Kyrgyzstan

RESPONSE

Responding to the ongoing mpox health threat: lessons from Berlin

How rehabilitation provided a second chance to an earthquake survivor

EU-funded water stations sustain health services for over a million people in Kharkiv region, Ukraine

DONORS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

A zest for life: how the medevac programme helped a badly burned Ukrainian boy survive and thrive

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WHO PUBLICATIONS

COVID-19
COVID-19 epidemiological update - 12 March 2025

MPOX (MONKEYPOX)
Multi-country outbreak of mpox, External situation report #51 - 29 April 2025

Updated Questions and Answers on Mpox

WHO Health Emergency Appeal for Ukraine

TÜRKIYE & SYRIA EARTHQUAKES