Guidance & Resources 


Key Guidance & Policy for the UN system
 
Pandemic Planning and Preparedness Guidelines for the UN System
 Pandemic Planning and Preparedness Guidelines for the UN System
   
Highlights:
The Pandemic Planning and Preparedness Guidelines for the UN System were promulgated by the Secretary-General in March 2006 as a complement to his request for all UN duty stations to get ready for pandemic.  The guidelines are aimed primarily at UN Country Teams (UNCTs) and identify the following key planning and preparedness actions:
    1. Appoint a pandemic influenza Coordinator or Focal Point to prepare plans and monitor preparedness.
    2. Implement the UN Medical Services Guidelines for an Influenza Pandemic (see below).
    3. Develop pandemic contingency / response plans, including provisions for assistance to rapid containment efforts.
    4. Lend support to pandemic planning and preparedness efforts of host governments.
   
Date:
 March 2006
Format:
 PDF
Size:
 362 KB
 
UN Medical Services Guidelines for an Influenza Pandemic
 UNMS Pandemic Guidelines
   
Highlights:
The updated UN Medical Services (UNMS) guidelines provide detailed instructions for protecting the health of UN staff and their dependants worldwide in the event of an influenza pandemic. These include not only medical interventions (such as the use of pharmaceuticals and personal protective equipment), but also non-pharmaceutical measures (such as ‘social distancing’).

See also: UNMS statement regarding the extension of Tamiflu shelf life (May 2008)
   
Author:
 UN Medical Services (UNMS)
Date:
 May 2008
Format:
 Word
Size:
 1.45 MB
 
 
 
UN System Administrative Guidelines for an Influenza Pandemic
 UN System Administrative Guidelines for an Influenza Pandemic
   
Highlights:
The Administrative Guidelines for an Influenza Pandemic Situation were drafted by the Human Resources Network of the Chief Executives Board (CEB) for the UN Common System. They describe the key Human Resources policies that should be applied by all organizations present at all UN duty stations in the event of a pandemic.
   
Date:
 April 2009
Format:
 PDF
Size:
 191 KB

Tools & Materials
   
 
PIC TableTop Pandemic Simulation for UNCTs
 PIC TableTop Pandemic Simulation for UNCTs
   
Highlights:
The PIC TableTop Pandemic Simulation package consists of a set of documents and presentations that make it easy for anyone to facilitate a one-day pandemic simulation exercise for a UN Country Team (UNCT).  TableTop exercises are particularly useful for raising awareness amongst staff and key stakeholders, identifying gaps in preparedness, and creating momentum in the planning process.

(Note: For assistance with UNCT TableTop simulations, please contact the PIC Regional Planning Officer in your region, or else send an email to pic@un.org)
   
Date:
 14 November 2008
Format:
 ZIP
Size:
 1.5 MB
 
 
Framework for continuity management (March 2009)
 Framework for Crisis & Continuity Management
   
Highlights:
The purpose of this template is to help ensure readiness for the timely, consistent and coordinated response of a UN Country Team (UNCT) in the event of an influenza pandemic.
   
Author:
 Pandemic Influenza Coordination (PIC) team - OCHA
Date:
 March 2009
Format:
 Word
Size:
 479 KB
   
 
UN Staff Handbook on Pandemic Influenza
 UN Staff Handbook on Pandemic Influenza
   
Highlights:
The UN Staff Handbook on Pandemic Influenza, developed by UNICEF, provides useful practical information for individual staff members to take care of themselves and their dependants in the event of an influenza pandemic.
  French Version (PDF, 1.03 MB) Spanish Version (PDF, 1.35 MB) Chinese Version (PDF, 938 KB)
   
Author:
 UN Medical Services (UNMS)
Date:
 April 2009
Format:
 PDF
Size:
 1 MB

Additional Guidelines
 
UNMS Statement on TamifFlu Shelf Life
 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
 
 
 
Guidelines for Disposal of Unwanted Pharmaceuticals
 Guidelines for Disposal of Unwanted Pharmaceuticals
   
Highlights:
The Guidelines for Safe Disposal of Unwanted Pharmaceuticals in and after Emergencies, published by WHO, provide detailed technical instructions on the safe disposal of unusable or unwanted pharmaceutical supplies in emergencies and where official assistance and advice may not be available – as may be the case during a severe influenza pandemic.
   
Date:
 1999
Format:
 PDF
Size:
 560 KB
 
 
 
Guidelines for Management of Dead Bodies after Disasters
 Guidelines for Management of Dead Bodies after Disasters
   
Highlights:
The inter-agency Guidelines for the Management of Dead Bodies after Disasters provide practical guidance on the proper and dignified management of dead bodies during and following disasters.
   
Date:
 2006
Format:
 PDF
Size:
 1.07 MB

CFIA Small Project Funding Facility for UN Resident Coordinators
 
 
Guidelines for Disposal of Unwanted Pharmaceuticals
 Explanatory Note & Project Proposal Form
   
Highlights:
A funding facility was established in 2009 by the United Nations Central Fund for Influenza Action (CFIA) to finance small, high-value projects to support national governments to strengthen multi-sectoral pandemic preparedness processes in countries currently lacking adequate capacity and resources. Following a recent donor contribution bringing the total funds available to $740,000, a new round of funding is being initiated. UN Resident Coordinators are invited to submit proposals to the funding facility for high-priority project proposals that they feel will have a disproportionate impact in helping developing countries to be better prepared to mitigate the economic, humanitarian and social consequences of a pandemic.
   
Author:
 OCHA Pandemic Influenza Coordination (PIC) Team
Date:
 June 2009
Format:
 Word (zipped)
Size:
 176 KB
 
 
Guidelines for Management of Dead Bodies after Disasters
 Selected Projects from Round 1 (March 2009)
   
Highlights:
In the first round of funding, which took place in March 2009, 4 selected projects were awarded a total of $340,000. UN Resident Coordinators wishing to apply for funding under the second round are encouraged to review the winning proposals from the first round.
   
Author:
 Nigeria, Lao PDR, Mozambique and Zambia UNCTs
Date:
 March 2009
Format:
 Word (zipped)
Size:
 376 KB