Name: Briggs Benedict Matric no : 18/sms09/022 Course title: Ird 202 Question Identify the roles of specific international organisation in responding to COVID-19 pandemic globally.  Answer The role of the world health organization in responding to covid 19 pandemic globally. Introduction The WHO(About the organization) WHO began when our Constitution came into force on 7 April 1948 – a date we now celebrate every year as World Health Day. Their primary role is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system. Their main areas of work are health systems; health through the life-course; noncommunicable and communicable diseases; preparedness, surveillance and response; and corporate services. They support countries as they coordinate the efforts of governments and partners – including bi- and multilaterals, funds and foundations, civil society organizations and the private sector. WHO has been fighting the COVID19 pandemic with every ounce of our soul and spirit. The WHO will continue to work with every country and every partner, to serve the people of the world, with a relentless commitment to science, solutions and solidarity. Strategies plan and operations in fighting the covid-19 WHO works to improve the health of many of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. WHO joined with UNICEF and the International Publishers Association to launch a reading initiative to support children and young people in isolation.  Some specific role of the WHO in responding to the COVID 19 pandemic globally. 1. Providing accurate information, busting dangerous myths: The internet is awash with information about the pandemic, some of it useful, some of it false or misleading. In the midst of this “infodemic”, WHO is producing accurate, useful guidance that can help save lives. This includes around 50 pieces of technical advice for the public, health workers and countries, with evidence-based guidance on every element of the response, and exploding dangerous myths. The health agency benefits from the expertise of a global network of health professionals and scientists, including epidemiologists, clinicians and virologists, to ensure that the response is as comprehensive, authoritative and representative as possible. To ensure information is correct and helpful, WHO set up a team to give everyone access to timely, accurate and easy-to-understand advice, from trusted sources. In addition, daily situation reports and press briefings, as well as briefings with governments, are keeping the world informed about the latest data, information and evidence.  2.Ensuring vital supplies reach frontline health workers: Personal protective equipment is essential to ensure health professionals are able to save lives, including their own. So far, WHO has shipped more than two million items of personal protective equipment to 133 countries, and is preparing to ship another two million items in the coming weeks. More than a million diagnostic tests have been dispatched to 126 countries, in all regions, and more are being sourced However, far more is needed, and WHO is working with the International Chamber of Commerce, the World Economic Forum, and others in the private sector, to ramp up the production and distribution of essential medical supplies On 8 April, WHO launched a “UN COVID-19 Supply Chain Task Force”, which aims to dramatically increase the supply of essential protective equipment where it is needed. 3.Helping countries to prepare and respond: WHO has issued a COVID-19 Strategic Prearedness and Response Plan, which identifies the major actions countries need to take, and the resources needed to carry them out. The plan, which is updated as fresh information and data improve WHO’s understanding of the characteristics of the virus and how to respond, acts as a guide for developing country-specific plans. The health agency’s six regional offices, and 150 country offices, work closely with governments around the world to prepare their health systems for the ravages of COVID-19, and to respond effectively when cases arrive and begin to mount. With partners, WHO set up the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, to ensure patients get the care they need, and frontline workers get essential supplies and information; and to accelerate research and development of a vaccine and treatments for all who need them.  With donations from governments, the private sector and individuals, more than $800 million has been pledged or received for the response so far.  4.Training and mobilizing health workers: WHO is aiming to train millions of health workers, via its OpenWHO platform. Thanks to this online tool, life-saving knowledge is being transferred to frontline personnel by the Organization, and its key partners. Users take part in a worldwide, social learning network, based on interactive, online courses and materials covering a variety of subjects. OpenWHO also serves as a forum for the rapid sharing of public health expertise, and in-depth discussion and feedback on key issues. So far, more than 1.2 million people have enrolled in 43 languages. Countries are also being supported by experts, deployed around the world by the WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). During outbreaks, the network ensures that the right technical expertise and skills are on the ground where and when they are needed most. Emergency Medical Teams are also an important part of the global health workforce. These teams are highly trained, and self-sufficient, and are sent to places identified as disaster or emergency zones. 5.Helping the poorest and vulnerable In his 8 April press briefing, Tedros said that WHO is involved with many other initiatives and actions, but all of them come under these five essential pillars. The agency’s focus, he said, is “on working with countries and with partners to bring the world together to confront this common threat together”. A particular concern, he added, is for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, in all countries, and WHO is committed to “serve all people of the world with equity, objectivity and neutrality.” References ABOUT THE WHO AND ITS FORMATION: https://www.who.int/about FIVE REASONS WHY THE WORLD NEEEDS THE WHO TO FIGHT THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC: https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061412