WHO works with Member States’ authorities to empower them and boost their national preparedness and response capacities. This is made possible as we work side by side with our global, regional and national partners and donors.
Bhutan, Lao PDR, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe: assessing capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats
Four WHO Member States conducted Joint External Evaluations (JEEs) to assess their national capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats, including outbreaks of diseases to events such as cyclones and earthquakes, under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). The JEE is a voluntary, collaborative process used globally to assess a country's readiness to manage infectious disease outbreaks and other health emergencies. It is conducted every five years.
Bhutan
Second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of the International Health Regulations core capacities, June 2025. Photo by: WCO Bhutan
Bhutan took significant steps in improving its national health security by successfully initiating its second JEE. The country applied the newly developed electronic JEE (eJEE) platform, aimed at streamlining, standardizing, and enhancing the efficiency of the reporting process.
As of June 2025, the Kingdom of Bhutan became the sixth country in the South-East Asia Region and the 90th globally to undertake a second round of the JEE-IHR. Regional solidarity is crucial to ensure that countries can access capacities they do not possess, as a right, through the prioritized implementation of regional initiatives outlined in strategic roadmaps and action frameworks. This JEE mission was conducted by a team of 21 external experts representing three WHO regions and nine international organizations, including the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Indonesian Association for Food Safety Professionnel, World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), National Institute of Disaster Management of India, Ministries of Health (Sri Lanka, India, Nepal), and the Office of Atoms for Peace, Thailand.
Read more on the WHO South-East Asia website
Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR)
Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) is one of only four countries in the Western Pacific region to have completed a second JEE. The evaluation aimed to reinforce the country’s capacity to implement its National Workplan for Health Security, following the country’s first JEE in 2017.
Health security experts worked alongside experts from the Ministry of Health, other government representatives and national experts. The evaluation was made possible with the contributions of experts from Australia, Canada, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, USA and the United Kingdom, who brought diverse perspectives and technical expertise to the process. Health security goes beyond the health sector and requires a holistic, multisectoral and multidisciplinary approach to address gaps and advance coordination. IHR monitoring and evaluation tools, such as JEEs, enable countries to convene multiple stakeholders to collectively improve health security.
Read more by visiting the WHO’s Lao PDR website
Vanuatu
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National and international health security experts gather in Port Vila, Vanuatu for JEE. Photo by: BREJ Pacific
Vanuatu embraced a multisectoral approach to strengthen its health security when conducting and concluding its first-ever JEE – the eighth of its kind in the Pacific Island countries.
The evaluation, brought together over 30 experts, including national counterparts and technical specialists from Australia, Italy, Japan, Romania, the United States, and WHO to jointly review areas such as disease surveillance, laboratory systems, emergency response, points of entry and risk communication and community engagement. The outcomes will help Vanuatu prioritize investments and actions to build a stronger, more resilient health system capable of responding to future emergencies. This work was made possible through the generous support of the Australian Government, and the Government of Japan, through the International Organization for Migration.
Zimbabwe
Coordinated by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) with support from WHO and partners, Zimbabwe marks a critical milestone in strengthening its public health emergency preparedness and response systems.
The internal self-assessment (the first phase of the JEE), was completed in July 2025 with over 100 participants from across sectors including health, environment, veterinary services, defense, disaster management, civil society, and development partners including WHO, UNICEF, FAO, Africa CDC and others.
The next phase of the JEE will involve an external validation mission scheduled for September 2025. A team of international experts, coordinated by WHO’s Regional Office for Africa, will work with the national teams. Zimbabwe will then develop or update its National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) – to consolidate the JEE findings, past outbreak reviews, and risk assessments to guide future investments and reforms in public health preparedness.
“The evaluation is about continuous improvement. It reflects Zimbabwe’s commitment to protect the health of its people through stronger systems, better data, and broader collaboration,” said Dr Desta Tiruneh, WHO Representative to Zimbabwe.
The evaluation was made possible with funding from the Health Resilience Fund (HRF) through WHO, with additional support mobilized by MoHCC from Africa CDC and UNICEF.
Visit the WHO Zimbabwe webpage to read the full story
Indonesia and Uganda: practicing, testing and learning for emergency medical teams (EMT)
Uganda
A weeklong simulation exercise aimed at strengthening Uganda’s emergency health response capabilities, focused on the use of the innovative Infectious Disease Treatment Module (IDTM) for managing viral haemorrhagic fevers, testing the National EMTs to rapidly deploy and operate the IDTM during a simulated outbreak.
Simulated evacuation of a highly infectious patient using the EpiShuttle. Photo by: WHO / Aidah Nanyonjo
75 health workers from various parts of the country, from the health sector, Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) and Uganda Police Force (UPF), participated in the simulation. The scenario replicated the detection, investigation, and response to a localized Ebola outbreak and included practical exercises in optimized clinical care, infection prevention and control, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), logistics, psychosocial support, and safe and dignified burials.
This work was funded by the European Union’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG-ECHO). It was designed and implemented through a global partnership co-managed by WHO and World Food Programme (WFP). The exercise also involved the University Hospital Tübingen, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), UNICEF, the Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute, and Africa Centers for Disease Control.
Read the full story on the WHO Uganda website
Indonesia
Indonesia opted for a field hospital simulation. In the scorching sun of Java blue tents filled an open field in Kulon Progo, transforming it into a fully functioning field hospital. Inside, the Muhammadiyah Emergency Medical Team ran the facility, checking blood pressure, coordinating triage, handling patients with trauma cases and mental health conditions, all part of a simulation that mirrored the pressure of real-world disaster response. This was a milestone in the team’s progress under WHO’s global classification system to ensure that medical teams deployed in emergencies meet international standards for quality, accountability and self-sufficiency.
High-pressure simulation with volunteers from Muhammadiyah EMT, WHO Indonesia, WHO WPRO and observers from other EMTs in Indonesia taking on the roles of incoming patients, testing the team's rapid response under pressure. Photo by: WHO / Fieni Aprilia
Supported by German partners (the Robert Koch Institute and the International Search and Rescue Germany as a peer learning team,) and closely coordinated with WHO, this is part of Indonesia’s broader EMT capacity building through the project “Continued Strengthening of Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Readiness, Response and Coordination in the Indo-Pacific,” funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Indonesia is taking an active role within the regional, ASEAN and global EMT network, ensuring that communities receive timely, effective, and well-coordinated emergency health services in any future crisis.
Visit the WHO Indonesia website to see the full photo story "Under the blue tents"
A lifeline for a connected, informed and resilient emergency workforce across Asia
In times of health emergencies, every second matters. Rapid access to accurate information and effective tools for those on the front lines can be the difference between swift containment and an escalating crisis. In the Asia Pacific region, the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF) Community of Practice is proving just how vital a fit-for purpose network can be in accelerating response and strengthening coordination.
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Launched in July 2024, amid a major regional dengue outbreak, the APHSAF Community of Practice was created by the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific as a dedicated platform where professionals can rapidly exchange insights, clarify technical guidance and support each other across borders. Born out of urgency, the APHSAF Community of Practice has become a vital space for accelerating response and strengthening regional coordination.
APHSAF also provides its members valuable access to curated, real-time resources organized, including the latest WHO guidance, practical tools and interactive learning opportunities. Whether it is tackling mpox, dengue or influenza A(H5N1), the Community of Practice ensures that the health emergency workers are connected to help each other navigate complex and fast-moving challenges.
Online webinars disseminate vital information. For instance, the first webinar (on clinical diagnosis and treatment) attracted around 2000 participants from more than 33 countries and areas. Japanese experts shared hospital-based infection prevention and control practices; representatives from Viet Nam presented information on laboratory confirmation and genomic sequencing, while practitioners from Australia and the Philippines described their experience on surveillance, contact tracing and outbreak management. A session on inclusive prevention strategies, leveraging HIV networks and community engagement was held with participation from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and civil society.
When China reported the Western Pacific Region’s first Clade Ib mpox cases in January 2025, WHO organized a dedicated session where national experts shared their experience with early detection and case management. Members appreciate this safe and inclusive space for countries and partners to share operational challenges, tools and experiences − from coordinating contact tracing to ensuring inclusive messaging for vulnerable communities.
In the past year, over 7000 participants from more than 45 countries and areas have engaged in activities organized by the APHSAF Community of Practice.
This work aligns with the WHO Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC) initiative to strengthen, and scale up health emergency workforce capacities worldwide, and was made possible through contributions from the Gates Foundation and the Institute of Philanthropy.
Acknowledgments
WHO thanks all Member States and other contributors, with special appreciation for those who provide fully flexible contributions to maintain a strong, independent WHO.
This story is about acknowledgment and gratitude to donors who have supported WHO's emergencies preparedness and response work: Africa Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC), the European Union (its Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - ECDC, and its Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations - DG-ECHO), the Gates Foundation and the Institute of Philanthropy, the Government of Australia (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Government of Japan, KS Relief, Germany (the Robert Koch Institute and the International Search and Rescue Germany), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Indonesian Association for Food Safety Professionals, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the National Institute of Disaster Management of India, Ministries of Health (Sri Lanka, India, Nepal), and the Office of Atoms for Peace, Thailand.
The work described was carried in close engagement with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) and development partners including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), UNICEF, World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Africa CDC and others, as well as crucial support of experts from Australia, Canada, Germany, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.