The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how all phases of emergencies and disasters require a ready, willing, and able workforce that can save lives, reduce diseases and suffering, and minimize socio-economic loss to affected communities and countries. It also exacerbated health /non-health workforce shortages and revealed a need for intensified workforce development in health emergency preparedness, and for stronger health systems and communities.
WHO defined the health workforce as "all people engaged in actions whose primary intent is to enhance health". Healthcare workers are critical in health emergencies. However, the workforce for health emergency and disaster risk reduction (Health EDRM) includes many actors beyond health systems, such as those who help affected populations, work to reduce hazards and vulnerabilities, and build capacity for emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. Defining the roles and responsibilities of workforce groups for Health EDRM is challenging.
The 2018 WHO Health EDRM expert meeting recognized the importance of workforce development as a priority area for research. Since then, the WHO Kobe Centre (WKC) has actively supported research projects to generate more evidence and knowledge in workforce development for Health EDRM.
This section shares knowledge and resources based on WKC-funded research projects (
2021-22 project,
2020-21 project) and the related chapters of WHO guidance on research methods for Health EDRM.
