The 3rd Core Group meeting
Translating HEDRM research into practical products
Overview
The WHO Centre for Health Development (WHO Kobe Centre: WKC) convened the third Core Group meeting of the WHO Thematic Platform for Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Research Network (Health EDRM RN) online on 22 November 2021. The meeting was a key milestone in advancing the field of health emergency and disaster risk management (Health EDRM) through research. The meeting objective was to approve the action plan for Health EDRM RN for 2022–2023 and to discuss the following four main milestones for its effective implementations including:
- Identifying additional members of the technical working group and making recommendations regarding global involvement of stakeholders for the global survey to identify up to date research needs.
- Planning to launch the Health EDRM Knowledge Hub, including further content for the Knowledge Hub, and dissemination in collaboration with regional offices.
- Identifying additional content for the WHO Guidance on Research Methods for Health EDRM to be added in 2022–2023 and means of dissemination in cooperation with regional offices.
- Mobilizing resources and linking research and practice in Health EDRM.
22 participants attended the meeting, including the focal points from WHO Health Emergency Programme (WHE: Headquarters), all WHO Regional Offices, the co-chairs of the TPRN, and other key stakeholders in Health EDRM research, policy, and practice.
At the end of the meeting, the participants agreed on a draft plan of major activities for the Health EDRM RN for 2022-2023, including the revision and further dissemination and use of the WHO Guidance on Research Methods for Health EDRM, the establishment of the Health EDRM Knowledge Hub, and the development of the WHO Health EDRM research agenda. The meeting also agreed on additional initiatives that will benefit countries by increasing regional participation, including member states and other key stakeholders, and facilitating regional and cross-sectoral collaboration. The activities of the Health EDRM RN will be accelerated, taking forward the agreed projects and paying attention to the International Health Regulations (IHR), all-hazards and whole-of-society approaches, including in the context of COVID19.