Global Health Showcase: Innovations to protect people’s health from disaster risk

The protection of people’s health from disaster risk is a major aim of the Sendai Framework and the disaster risk reduction community. This proposal, on behalf of WHO and the participants in the WHO Thematic Platform for Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health EDRM), will be a global showcase of innovations across the health sector that address priority areas of the Sendai Framework:

1. understanding disaster risk;

2. strengthening disaster risk governance;

3. investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience; and

4. enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to “build back better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Innovations will include interactive exhibits to enable delegates to experience the importance of social distancing and handwashing using ultraviolet lighting to reduce biological risks and disease transmission; disability inclusion in Safe Hospitals (INGRID-H) from PAHO; the All Right? Health promotion campaign (2013-2019) for health, well-being and building back better in recovery from the 2013 Earthquake (Christchurch, New Zealand); Communicating Risk in Rural Villages through Mobile App Technology which consists of short videos to raise awareness and promote behaviour change for 10 topics relating to direct and indirect disaster risks; using web technologies for detecting disease outbreaks from open sources (Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources - EIOS); mobile phone based applications for strengthening Hospital Safety; Medical Camp Kits to prepare communities for rapid health response; Global Heat Health Information Network which highlights the high risks that heat poses to human health, economies and social wellbeing and the need for strategies from all sectors within the DRR community to improve prevention and management of extreme heat risk, including in the home; packages on simulation exercises for health preparedness (WHO); key research themes for health EDRM (WHO Kobe Centre); and other initiatives related to the health sector implementation and reporting of the SDGs, Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement and the International Health Regulations (2005). Presentations on each of the innovations will be scheduled during the 3 days of the Global Platform, and the space will be staffed throughout the Platform for interaction between health actors and delegates.