WORKING SESSION
Reducing Risks of Epidemics and Pandemics
Brief & Concept Note
Brief
1. Why is this topic important ?
Epidemics and pandemics along with other hazards cause significant health impacts and
disruption to the functioning of society including social, economic and political stability. This
is evident by the persistent HIV epidemic, regularly resurgent diseases such as measles and
cholera, the Ebola Virus Disease emergency in West Africa, SARS outbreaks and the
repeated influenza pandemics. Epidemics may be a primary event or a secondary
consequence of the impact of other hazards, such as cyclones, drought and floods. People
also experience increased vulnerability to varied disasters when their health status is
compromised by diseases, such as HIV and tuberculosis. Many aspects of disaster risk
management can be applied to epidemics and pandemics, and vice versa.
Communities and countries are actively strengthening their systems to manage the health
risks associated with all types of hazards, emergencies and disasters, including epidemics
and pandemics. National, sub-national and local governments, civil society, international
organizations, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement and other stakeholders are building
the capacities of communities, health systems, local health workers and community
volunteers. Measures implemented by communities and countries include: routine child
and emergency immunization programmes, provision of safe drinking water, safe human
waste management, hospital preparedness for epidemics, disease surveillance and early
warning systems. These activities are supported by policies, legislation and capacity
assessments, evidence-based information on risks and resources, health and intersectoral
coordination mechanisms, emergency response planning and exercises, training of health
personnel, financial resources and research. Sixty-one States Parties have reported to WHO
that the national core capacity requirements for the International Health Regulations (2005)
have been achieved.
This session will facilitate a dialogue on measures that can be taken by countries and
communities to reduce the risks of epidemics and pandemics, and will present lessons for
disaster risk reduction from the experience of preparing for and responding to these
emergencies. It will also discuss how the development and implementation of the
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International Health Regulations (2005) show that countries have reached agreement on
working together to reduce the threat of public health emergencies and consider the
impact of this on reducing disaster risk. Delegates will be given the opportunity to consider
how the implementation of the post-2015 framework for DRR will support the reduction of
risks of epidemics and pandemics in communities and countries resulting in greater health
security and resilience to health disasters.
2. What gaps need to be filled?
While the scope of the Hyogo Framework for Action recognised biological hazards, the
approach to implementation of the HFA has generally not addressed epidemic and
pandemics wthin the context of disaster risk reduction. In some countries, the risk of
epidemics and pandemics is well-integrated in all-hazard approaches to emergency and
disaster risk management. However, in many countries the risk of epidemics have been
addressed within the health and agriculture sectors rather than through a whole-of-society
approach. There are often common causes of vulnerability and weak coping capacities, such
weak health systems, poorly maintained water infrastructure, food insecurity and physical
insecurity, that pose risks to communities and lead to emergencies and disasters,
irrespective of the associated hazards. Environmental and ecological drivers such as climate
change, deforestation and unplanned urban development are also modifying risks of
climate-sensitive diseases such as malaria, and those associated with extreme events, such
as cyclones, floods and droughts. This understanding of risk factors for epidemic diseases
has led to initiatives to manage risks at the human, animal and environmental interface (e.g.
One Health) and on improving climate risk information for the health user community
through the Global Framework for Climate Services.
In the negotiation of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction, Member States of
the United Nations have advocated for more explicit inclusion of epidemics and pandemics
in the framework, reflecting on the evidence that they can cause emergencies and disasters
on a scale comparable to other hazards, and the need for common approaches for
managing risks from all types of hazards. In order to address the risks of epidemics and
pandemics, there is a recognised need for countries, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society to
work together to promote health centred emergency and disaster risk management,
including epidemics and pandemics.This is also consistent with Member State advocacy for
a greater emphasis on reducing risks to public health and strengthening the resilience of
health systems in the negotiation of the framework.
Major gaps that need to be addressed include:
 Integration of epidemic and pandemic risks into the all-hazard emergency and
disaster risk management policies, plans and practices of governments, private
sector and stakeholders within and across all sectors and at all levels of society
 Increased understanding, recognition and implementation by all sectors of the
International Health Regulations (2005) as a complementary framework that
contributes to disaster risk reduction
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Knowledge and technology transfer between communities and actors involved in
managing risks of epidemics and pandemics with those working in disaster risk
reduction, such as the application of lessons from reducing risks of HIV through
community resilience, empowerment of those affected, addressing stigma and
ensuring effective accountability mechanisms
Reinforcement and scaled up action on linking epidemics and pandemics to risk
assessment and early warning systems and action on climate variability and climate
change adaptation
Continuing focus on improving access to safe water and resilient water and
sanitation systems
Increased support to understanding and managing risks at the human, animal and
environmental interface, such as One Health
Strengthening capacities of health systems to manage the risks of epidemics and
pandemics including through primary, secondary and tertiary care, disease
surveillance, risk communication, Safe Hospital programmes to address epidemics,
multi-hazard emergency preparedness and other programmes
Strengthening the community-based approach to reducing risks of epidemics and
pandemics (and other sources of risk), including formal and informal health
promotion, and primary-, home- and self-care
Means to promote more urgent scientific research on epidemics and pandemics,
and effective risk management strategies
Inclusion of epidemic and pandemics in the targets and indicators for disaster risk
reduction at national and global levels, and within monitoring and reporting
mechanisms for the post-2015 framework for DRR
3. What commitments are expected?
Commitments related to:
• Reinforcement of the implementation of the International Health Regulations
(Member States, WHO)
• One Health (UNSIC, FAO, WHO, OIE)
• Ensuring lessons learned from effective responses to pandemics such as HIV serve as
entry points for strengthening disaster risk management programmes in spheres of
(i) community mobilization; (ii) empowerment of those affected; (iii) addressing
stigma and (iv) fostering effective shared accountability (UNAIDS)
• Commitments to more integrated approach to epidemics and pandemics within an
emergency and disaster risk management framework (WHO)
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Concept Note
Schedule
Sunday 15 March 2015, 16:00-17:30
Room and Venue
Exhibition Hall 1, Sendai International Conference Centre
Organizing Team
World Health Organization, UNAIDS, UNSIC; Mexico Ministry for
Social Security, Public Health England, United States Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Health (Islamic Republic
of Iran), New Zealand Ministry of Health, UNFPA, UNICEF,
International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,
International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA),
Disaster and Development Network (DDN).
Session
Point
Focal Chadia Wannous (chadia.wannous@undp.org), Jonathan Abrahams
(abrahamsj@who.org),
Background and
Rationale
All five Priorities for Action in the Hyogo Framework for Action 20052015 and the core elements of the post-2015 framework for DRR,
serve to guide action to reduce risks of disasters to health, for
example: i. strong risk governance and an institutional basis; ii. risk
assessment and early warning; iii. knowledge and education; iv.
reduction of underlying risk factors; and v. disaster preparedness.
Everything connected to disaster risk management has health
implications, and therefore these must be addressed explicitly in the
post-2015 framework for DRR. Member States have advocated for a
greater emphasis on reducing risks of epidemics and pandemics in
the post-2015 framework for DRR. Epidemic and pandemic risk
should not be considered separately. It is connected to other issues
such as poverty, development, food safety, social justice and the like,
and the same is true for its relationship with disaster risk reduction.
Therefore, it is also a part of the imperative that disaster risk
management plans and projects be undertaken in collaboration with
the health sector at all political and geographical levels to address
epidemic and pandemic risk. More specifically, hazard, vulnerability
and capacity and risk frameworks should include epidemic, pandemic
and health indicators to ascertain the potential risks of epidemic and
pandemic in society and coping capacities, and to inform the planning
and implementation of the risk management and capacity
development measures required. Likewise, the International Health
Regulations (2005) should be recognised as a critical complementary
framework for disaster risk reduction and referenced in the post2015 framework for DRR.
The protection of health and society against the risks of epidemics
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and pandemics demands a more integrated approach to managing
the interaction between pathogens, people, places, political
economies, processes of transmission, risk management capacities,
and people’s perceptions and behaviours. Focussing on the health,
climate and disaster risk reduction imperative, this involves interlinkages to core areas impacting on epidemic and pandemic risk such
as agriculture, rural and urban development, finance, infrastructure,
planning, environment and conservation, as well as the health sector.
There are declines in deaths from treatable infectious diseases, such
as diarrhoeal and respiratory infections and HIV in some areas, yet
the overall burden of infectious disease in terms of mass morbidity
persists in many parts of the world. Furthermore, the greatest causes
of death in the low-income countries, where there is extreme
poverty, remains lower respiratory infections, HIV and diarrhoeal
diseases. The association of infectious disease and climatic change
often expresses underlying risk factors that could alter the balance
between mortality and morbidity figures still further; such as for
example through compromised immunity to infections due to
drought-induced malnutrition in Africa. However, there is as yet little
evidence that infectious diseases are to significantly increase from
the effects of a changing climate solely on the basis of pathogen
ecology. However, at stake would be complacency regards increased
morbidity despite mortality reductions, particularly where chronic
health problems are in the ascendency. Failure to act risks a
reduction of human wellbeing and quality of life.
Integration of epidemics and pandemics in the post-2015 framework
for disaster risk reduction, and increased collaboration by the whole
of society provides opportunities for more effective prevention,
preparedness, response and recovery from epidemics and
pandemics, as part of an all-hazards approach to risk management.
Session
Objectives
Promote and provide the opportunity for countries, UN agencies and
stakeholders to:
 demonstrate the benefits of integration epidemics and pandemics
within an all-hazards approach to disaster risk reduction,
including through the implementation of the post-2015
framework for DRR and associated global, regional, national and
local policies, plans and practice;
 share progress made and challenges faced in reducing risk of
epidemics and pandemics, including the International Health
Regulations (2005), One Health, and other initiatives, and
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Discussion
agenda and
structure
make voluntary commitments to reduce risks of epidemics and
pandemics within and across all sectors.
1. Opening by the Moderator (5 min)
2. Panel of speakers (5 speakers estimated at 8 minutes each) (40
min)
3. Open dialogue (30 min)
4. Summary
of
key
points,
actions,
commitments,
recommendations, next steps (15 min)
The Moderator will facilitate an interactive dialogue among panellists
and WCDRR delegates on actions to reduce risks of epidemics and
pandemics by applying risk management across all sectors.
The Moderator will set the context by presenting an overview of the
centrality of and making reference to the way in which epidemics and
pandemics have been addressed in the post-2015 framework for
DRR. Representatives from countries and other stakeholder
organisations will be invited to share health and multisectoral
perspectives from community, local, national and global perspectives.
Success stories, progress reports and future directions for
strengthening the capacity of communities and countries to reduce
the risks of epidemics and pandemics will be presented. They will be
invited to share their commitments towards the implementation of
the post-2015 framework for DRR, including their commitments and
plans for strengthening capacities and resources for reducing risks of
epidemics and pandemics at community and country levels.
There will be opportunities for other commitments to be shared, and
for an interactive discussion between delegates and panellists on
reducing risks of epidemics and pandemics. This discussion will be
facilitated by the Moderator.
Expected
outcomes
 Commitments to action to reduce risks of epidemics and
pandemics through the vehicle of the post 2015 framework for
DRR
 Recommendations to governments and partners for advancing the
implementation of reducing risks of epidemics and pandemics
through the post-2015 framework for DRR and related
frameworks, including the International Health Regulations (2005),
Sustainable Development Goals and in negotiations at the 2015
United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Commitment /
 Commitment to reinforce the implementation of the International
special
Health Regulations (2005)
announcement in  Ensuring lessons learned from effective responses to pandemics
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support of a
post-2015
framework for
DRR
such as HIV serve as entry points for strengthening disaster risk
management
programmes in spheres of (i) community
mobilization; (ii) empowerment of those affected; (iii) addressing
stigma and (iv) fostering effective shared accountability (UNAIDS)
 Other announcements TBC
Expected number 150-300
of participants
Background
documents
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