46th WHO EB Agenda Item 15.1: Public Health Preparedness and Response - Report of the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme – Delivered by Dr. Sadre Alam, First Secretary (Geneva, 3-8 February 2020) 46th WHO EB Agenda Item 15.1: Public Health Preparedness and Response - Report of the Independent Ov..

46th WHO EB Agenda Item 15.1: Public Health Preparedness and Response - Report of the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme – Delivered by Dr. Sadre Alam, First Secretary

Thank you Mr. Chair,

The Government of India has taken note of the 7th Report of the Independent and Oversight Advisory Committee (IOAC) for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme. This report becomes more significant in the wake of outbreak of Novel Coronavirus which has spread to more than 25 countries. We complement the work of IOAC for doing a thorough review of the World Health Emergency Programme. While WHO has made significant progress in its leadership role of managing emergencies, the report makes it evident that major challenges remain, especially implementing the transformation agenda and managing ever increasing number of global crises and protracted emergencies.

 Mr. Chair,

A major concern is the persistence of Ebola virus disease within Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) even with concerted efforts in the past by UN Agencies and other actors to contain the disease. We reiterate that WHO, as the global leader, needs to garner all its expertise to contain this outbreak.

 We agree that in order to harness human resource in situations of outbreaks with high risk pathogens and in protracted complex emergencies, staff security, their protection and welfare is of vital importance. Hence WHO should put in place the requisite risk mitigation procedures.

 Though the fiscal environment for financing World Health Emergency Programme has improved there is a need to ensure sustainability of Contingency Fund for Emergencies. To fill the funding gaps, the recommendation of IOAC to enable WHO representatives in mobilizing resources at Country level is a tangible proposition.

 Thank you.