As the world attempts to tackle the effects of crises such as the COVID-19 Pandemic and prepare for the consequences of other crises such as climate change, many gaps and weaknesses have been exposed in the healthcare systems at a national and international level. As a result, there is a call for change and adaptation in order to improve nation’s and organization’s, such as WHO. 

​

This lack of preparation that has been made evident is even more worrisome when it is acknowledged that new disease-causing pathogens will continue to emerge and that the world’s demographics will continue to change. If health sectors are continuously struggling with known and studied pathogens in known and familiar circumstances, changes in any of both of these sectors might pose an even greater challenge and threat to global health and the institutions responsible for promoting good health. This taken into consideration, the World Health Organization’s role as global lead coordinator of the actions and international cooperation needed while preparing or responding to a public health emergency, is indispensable. However, as was mentioned, WHO’s aid must adapt to external influential factors to make sure a nation's capability of preparedness and response is holistic, this means being accessible to, if not all, the majority of the population regardless of their demographic characteristics.

 

As a delegate of this committee, your goal would be to analyze the tools and frameworks in place, used by the World Health Organization, to complete their role in Public Health Emergencies. This must be done while taking into consideration any new or unaddressed needs in the health sector in order to identify the changes that should take place in order to better aid the preparedness and response of nations in regards to an event that poses a threat to health.

​

​

About the World Health Organization

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) was created on the 7th of April, 1948 as the international public health organization for the United Nations, following the guiding principle that “all people should enjoy the highest standard of health, regardless of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition”. As the central figure of public health, the WHO brings together specialists from all over the world, working with over 7000 employees, in over 150 countries, with the intention of conducting research and helping communities directly.