IOAC Field visit to Tonga, 11–14 February 2025, and the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 17–18 February 2025

Overview

The WHO Western Pacific Region is comprised of 37 countries and areas with a total population of about 1.9 billion people. The countries in the Region are spread through East Asia, Central Asia, the Pacific Ocean and Oceania and differ in terms of population size, climate, economies, and health systems. In addition to public health threats, the Region is prone to natural hazards such as cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, wildfires, floods and droughts. In view of the hazard profile of the countries in the region, especially the Pacific Island countries and areas (PICs) which are particularly vulnerable to climate change, the IOAC decided to conduct a mission to Tonga and the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO).