News & Alerts

Latest News:

On 11 June 2009, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6. The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic.
WHO is coordinating the global response to human cases of influenza A(H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. All media inquiries should be directed to WHO.
All UNCTs are encouraged to review and update their pandemic contingency plans as needed.
OCHA/PIC Regional Pandemic Planning Officers stand ready to support these efforts.

Please go to Guidance & Resources for additional guidelines documents and materials (such as the latest UNMS Guidelines, UN CONOPS, etc.).


Highlights:	Latest data and background information on influenza A(H1N1).

Address:	http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
Author:	WHO


Highlights:	This concise 6-page background note seeks to provide busy humanitarian staff in the field with a few key facts of which they should be aware in the event of a pandemic, and with advice on where to go for more detailed information. It also advises on key planning actions that organisations should take to be ready to continue serving beneficiaries during a pandemic.

Author:	Inter-agency ‘Humanitarians in Pandemic’ (HiP) working group
Date:	15 May 2009
Format:	PDF
Size:	201 KB


Highlights:	The Revised Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidelines were prepared to assist WHO Member States and those responsible for public health, medical and emergency preparedness to respond to threats and occurrences of pandemic influenza. They describe the 6 Global Pandemic Alert levels and recommends strategic actions that governments and other actors should take in each phase.

Author:	WHO
Date:	April 2009
Format:	PDF
Size:	1.09 MB

UNMS Statement on Tamiflu Shelf Life


Highlights:	Important guidance from UN Medical Services(UNMS) regarding the extension of Tamiflu shelf life.

Author:	UNMS
Date:	27 May 2008
Format:	PDF
Size:	177 KB

Whole-of-Society Pandemic Readiness


Highlights:	Guidelines on how Governments should prepare for Pandemic Influenza in areas other than human and animal health.

Author:	WHO
Date:	May 2009
Format:	PDF
Size:	2.85 MB

Protective Health Measures for Pandemic Influenza


Highlights:	Useful WFP videos of health & hygiene tips in a pandemic situation

Address:	http://www.wfp.org/protective_measures_pandemic_influenza
Author:	WFP

UN Staff Pandemic Information Portal


Highlights:	This website is intended for staff of the UN family to be informed on the Influenza A (H1N1) and will be updated on a regular basis. It is accessible from anywhere and from any personal computer.

Address:	http://www.un.org/staff/pandemic
Author:	UNMS

Humanitarian Pandemic Preparedness (H2P) Initiative Website


Highlights:	Pandemic preparedness resources from the H2P initiative in multiple languages (English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai).

Address:	http://pandemicpreparedness.org/
Author:	Academy for Educational Development (AED)

Inter-Agency Call to Action


Highlights:	WHO, IFRC, UNSIC, OCHA and UNICEF, prompted by the humanitarian imperative, will work with partners such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, NGOs and civil society to support governments and communities to reduce the impact from the pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

Author:	WHO
Date:	12 August 2009
Format:	PDF
Size	200 KB