WHO Expert Discusses global Turmoil, Need for Better Crisis Management

(MENAFN) Rudiger Krech, the director of the health promotion department in WHO, has highlighted that the world is in turmoil, facing not only the coronavirus pandemic but also a "huge" climate crisis, social crisis, and war in some regions. Krech drew parallels with the situation when the WHO was founded after World War II, emphasizing the need for every country to look at how they can help people better cope with the insecurity triggered by multiple crises.

Before COVID-19, the world faced various pandemics such as H5N1 (bird flu), H1N1 (swine flu), and Zika (mosquito-borne viral disease), and the WHO conducted reviews of what went right and what went wrong, especially after the Ebola crisis. Krech acknowledged that the WHO received a lot of criticism after the Ebola crisis, and much of that criticism was justified. However, the organization learned from its mistakes, turning over every stone to improve processes and better prepare for the next pandemic.

Krech emphasized that the lessons learned from previous pandemics have served as a scenario for the response to COVID-19. However, he also stressed that there is still much work to be done to effectively manage crises, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis, social crises, and regional conflicts. Krech called for a concerted effort to better manage crises and help people cope with the insecurity they trigger.

Overall, Krech's comments underscore the need for better crisis management and preparation for future pandemics and other crises. While the WHO has learned from its mistakes and made improvements, there is still much work to be done to effectively manage the multiple challenges facing the world today. It is up to every country to take action and work together to address the ongoing crises and support their populations.

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