About WHO in Belarus

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO was founded in 1948 to work for the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all peoples. WHO works with 194 Member States, providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, and articulating evidence-based policy options. It also provides technical support to Member States, monitors and assesses health trends, funds medical research and provides emergency aid during disasters. Through its programmes, WHO also works to improve nutrition, housing, sanitation and working conditions around the world. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and has six regional offices around the world.

The European Region (WHO/Europe)

WHO/Europe is one of WHO’s six regional offices around the world. It serves the WHO European Region, which comprises 53 countries, covering a vast geographical region from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. WHO/Europe staff are public health, scientific and technical experts, based in the main office in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 7 technical centres and in country offices in 30 Member States (plus one planned). In addition, WHO/Europe coordinates with the European Union and its agencies, and is host organization and partner of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.

About WHO in Belarus

Since opening in 1994, the WHO Country Office in Belarus has been the focal point for all WHO activities in Belarus. It also is the active member of the United Nations Country Team in Belarus. In 2016, the Country Office profile was upgraded; it is now under the leadership of a WHO representative/head of country office and is scaling up the level of activities to support national policy development. The role of the Country Office is to provide technical assistance in policy-making for sustainable health development based on a holistic health-system approach. This includes providing guidance, building local relationships to implement technical cooperation, preparing standards and agreements, and ensuring that public health measures are coordinated and in place during crises. The Country Office’s main priorities are set out in the biennial collaborative agreement (BCA) between WHO/Europe and Belarus. It implements the BCA in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, national institutions and international partner agencies.