Category Key Resources

Our Recommendations

New Publications

Strategic Framework for Enhancing Prevention and Control of mpox, 2024-2027 (2024)
Country cooperation strategy for WHO and Syrian Arab Republic: 2022-2025 (2024)
The adolescent health indicators recommended by the Global Action for Measurement of Adolescent Health: Guidance for monitoring adolescent health at country, regional and global levels (2024)
Return Counselling Toolkit (2022)
Training Guide: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies (2024)

Filter

1300

Sort by:

Direction:

Download (1942)

View PDF (3144)

Environmental Health In Emergencies And Disasters: A Practical Guide
recommended

Wisner, B; Adams, J Word Health Organization WHO (2022) C_WHO

The present book deals not only with emergency response, but also with measures designed to reduce the impact of disasters on environmental health infrastructure, such as water supply and sanitation facilities. It also aims to strengthen the ability of people to withstand the disruption of their acc... more

Download (249)

View PDF (205)

Infection prevention and control guideline for Ebola and Marburg disease, August 2023
recommended

World Health Organization WHO (2023) CC

Ebola disease and Marburg disease outbreaks continue to occur in Africa, with increased frequency. In addition to resulting in high mortality and morbidity, the outbreaks generate fear and mistrust about the response activities within the communities affected. Infection prevention and control (IP... more

Download (184)

View PDF (175)

OCHA Policy Brief on Gendered Drivers, Risks and Impacts of Food Insecurity in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2023) CC

It is widely understood that the food insecurity crisis in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa is one of the world’s fastest growing and most neglected crises. It lacks sufficient global focus, resources and urgency. As in so many crises, women and girls are disproportionately affected and shoulder t...he consequences of protracted neglect, with unconscionable impacts on their safety, life chances and agency. Gaining a holistic view of the gendered drivers, risks and impacts of food insecurity in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa is difficult. This is due to a lack of data and prioritization, and the large geographical and socioeconomic terrain covered by both regions. However, what we do know about this crisis is more than enough to urgently address the needs of women and girls. An OCHA discussion paper on this topic (which will be published imminently, and from which this policy brief is drawn) found that there is: A strong risk of profound regression in gender equality gains made to date in the countries of concern, including on education, sexual and reproductive health, and the economic independence of women and girls (with knock-on effects on broader humanitarian and development outcomes). An increasing challenge to reverse what must be recognized as a protracted and growing gender-based violence (GBV) emergency in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. The food insecurity crisis in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa is protracted, multidimensional and highly gendered, with spiralling impacts on gender equality and food security outcomes. It is driven by interwoven and overlapping factors, including climate change, political instability, conflict, socioeconomic conditions, migration and displacement and, more recently, COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. Interlinked with these factors are gendered structural drivers of food insecurity, including deeply entrenched gender inequalities and harmful social norms. Gendered risks and impacts of food insecurity include alarming limitations on access to education, sexual and reproductive health rights, women’s agency and participation, and dramatic increases in different existing forms of GBV and the emergence of new ones. Recognition of such gendered dimensions of food insecurity and of the need for a multisectoral approach in the response is key to addressing the crisis, along-side sustained commitment and adequate allocation of resources. This policy brief draws out key findings from the OCHA discussion paper on this topic, which includes a desk review of studies, assessments and reports, and interviews with local women’s organizations on the front lines of the food insecurity crisis in communities across both regions. Below are the most pressing gendered drivers, risks and impacts of food insecurity (not in order of priority), as well as key gaps in the current humanitarian response to food insecurity, and recommendations to take forward. more

Download (137)

View PDF (161)

WHO Global water, sanitation and hygiene: Annual report 2022

World Health Organisation (WHO) (2023) C_WHO

This report summarizes the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global work on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) during 2022. It describes how the Organization continued to deliver its essential WASH programming as elaborated in its 2018–2025 strategy.

Download (177)

View PDF (150)

Considerations for developing a national genomic surveillance strategy or action plan for pathogens with pandemic and epidemic potential

World Health Organization WHO (2023) C_WHO

Pathogen genomic surveillance has become a priority for public health systems in recent years. Genomic sequencing is increasingly being used to characterize pathogens and monitor important public health priorities (e.g. poliovirus, influenza virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Vibrio cholerae, ant... more

Download (115)

View PDF (592)

Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act of 2021 Implementation Plan

US Agency for International Development USAID (2023) CC

In October 2022, President Biden signed the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act (GMPTA) into law, which directs USAID to prevent and treat malnutrition globally. The GMPTA further codifies USAID’s leadership on nutrition, with a focus on evidence-based interventions across health syst... more

Download (116)

View PDF (421)

Water dilemmas: The cascading impacts of water insecurity in a heating world

Oxfam (2023) CC

Climate-induced water insecurity poses one of the biggest threats to humanity and will lead to more hunger, disease and displacement Oxfam water engineers are having to drill deeper, more expensive and harder-to-maintain water boreholes used by some of the poorest communities around the world, mo... more

Download (232)

View PDF (203)

Cholera Update

Deininger K. The MEDBOX Team (2023) CC

Issue Brief 33: Since 21 June 2023, 57 024 new cholera cases, including 399 new death have been reported worldwide (European Center for Disease Prevention and Control). In total, 25 countries have reported cases since the beginning of 2023. The major underlying causes of potential outbreaks are poor... more

Download (139)

View PDF (268)

Sanitation and hygiene: training for health care providers, 3rd ed

World Health Organisation (WHO) (2023) C_WHO

Download (2 MB) Overview Internationally harmonized modules on key issues for paediatricians and paediatric nurses, family and public health professionals.

Download (92)

View PDF (162)

Opportunities for transition to clean household energy in Rwanda

World Health Organisation (WHO) (2023) C_WHO

Almost the entire Rwandan population (98.5%) relies on polluting fuels, particularly firewood and charcoal, for cooking. Access to clean energy such as electricity is still limited. In 2022, 70% of the population lived in towns and villages that have electricity – 49% from the national grid and 21... more

Download (250)

View PDF (292)

Community Engagement During Public Health Emergencies Like COVID-19: An Action Framework and Toolkit

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society; BRAC; Government of Bangladesh; UN Children's Fund UNICEF; UN Women; World Health Organization WHO (2023) CC

This handbook offers a simple framework of action for actors in local government, and in particular, health leaders such as Civil Surgeons (CSs) and Upazila Health and Family Planning Officers (UHFPQOs), to take ownership and leadership to combat COVID-19 at each district and upazila respectively, w... more

Download (311)

View PDF (156)

Infection Prevention and Control Standard Operating Procedures For Cholera Treatment Centres and Units in Malawi (April 2023)

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Africa CDC; African Union; Government of Malawi; Médecins Sans Frontières; UN Children's Fund UNICEF; World Health Organization WHO (2023) CC

Infection prevention and control (IPC) in a CTC/ CTU IPC are all practical measures taken in the healthcare facility to prevent harm caused by infections to patients, health workers and communities. The main goal of IPC in the cholera response is to • To reduce transmission of health care-as... more

Download (167)

View PDF (295)

WASH FIT: Manual for Trainer

UN Children's Fund UNICEF; World Health Organization WHO (2023) C_WHO

The Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tool (WASH FIT) presents a framework and acts as a guide to support multisectoral action to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health care. Central to the WASH FIT methodology is training and incremental improvements. Implementat... more

Download (153)

View PDF (291)

WASH FIT: A practical guide for improving quality of care through water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities (Second edition)

UN Children's Fund UNICEF; World Health Organization WHO (2023) C_WHO

Fully functioning water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and health care waste management services are a critical aspect of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, and ensuring patient safety and quality of care. Such services are also essential for creating an environment that supports the dig... more

Download (352)

View PDF (160)

Cholera Outbreak Response Field Manual (October 2019)

WASH Cluster; World Health Organization WHO (2023) CC

The response to a cholera outbreak must focus on limiting mortality and reducing the spread of the disease. It should be comprehensive and multisectoral, including epidemiology, case management, water, sanitation and hygiene, logistics, community engagement and risk communication. All efforts must b... more

Download (201)

View PDF (145)

WHO Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6-23 months of age

World Health Organisation (WHO) (2023) C_WHO

Complementary feeding, defined as the process of providing foods in addition to milk when breast milk or milk formula alone are no longer adequate to meet nutritional requirements, generally starts at age 6 months and continues until 23 months of age. This is a developmental period when it is critic... more

Download (121)

View PDF (457)

IRC Health Strategy 2023-2027

International Rescue Committee (2023) CC

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading humanitarian agency dedicated to helping people whose lives have been shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Health comprises nearly half of IRC’s program portfolio globally and encompasses thr... more

Download (127)

View PDF (268)

A Social and Behavior Change Strategy for Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Behaviors in Azraq Camp – Jordan

Action contre la Faim France (2023) CC

Azraq refugee camp located in Zarqa governorate was established in April 2014. As of June 2023, the camp continues to hosts 40,600 Syrian refugees, with 61% of the population children, and 25% of all households female-headed (UNHCR, 2023). The water supply system in Azraq has been operational sin... more

Download (244)

View PDF (327)

Therapeutics and COVID-19 (Living Guideline, 10 November 2023)

World Health Organization WHO (2023) C_WHO

WHO has updated its guidelines for COVID-19 therapeutics, with revised recommendations for patients with non-severe COVID-19. This is the 13th update to these guidelines. Updated risk rates for hospital admission in patients with non-severe COVID-19 The guidance includes updated risk rates for... hospital admission in patients with non-severe COVID-19. The current COVID-19 virus variants tend to cause less severe disease while immunity levels are higher due to vaccination, leading to lower risks of severe illness and death for most patients. This update includes new baseline risk estimates for hospital admission in patients with non-severe COVID-19. The new ‘moderate risk’ category now includes people previously considered to be high risk including older people and/or those with chronic conditions, disabilities, and comorbidities of chronic disease. The updated risk estimates will assist healthcare professionals to identify individuals at high, moderate or low risk of hospital admission, and to tailor treatment according to WHO guidelines: **High: **People who are immunosuppressed remain at higher risk if they contract COVID-19, with an estimated hospitalization rate of 6%. **Moderate: **People over 65 years old, those with conditions like obesity, diabetes and/or chronic conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney or liver disease, cancer, people with disabilities and those with comorbidities of chronic disease are at moderate risk, with an estimated hospitalization rate of 3%. Low: Those who are not in the high or moderate risk categories are at low risk of hospitalization (0.5%). Most people are low risk. Review of COVID-19 treatments for people with non-severe COVID-19 WHO continues to strongly recommend nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (also known by its brand name ‘Paxlovid’) for people at high-risk and moderate risk of hospitalization. The recommendations state that nirmatrelvir-ritonavir is considered the best choice for most eligible patients, given its therapeutic benefits, ease of administration and fewer concerns about potential harms. Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir was first recommended by WHO in April 2022. If nirmatrelvir-ritonavir is not available to patients at high-risk of hospitalization, WHO suggests the use of molnupiravir or remdesivir instead. WHO suggests against the use of molnupiravir and remdesivir for patients at moderate risk, judging the potential harms to outweigh the limited benefits in patients at moderate risk of hospital admission. For people at low risk of hospitalization, WHO does not recommend any antiviral therapy. Symptoms like fever and pain can continue to be managed with analgesics like paracetamol. WHO also recommends against use of a new antiviral (VV116) for patients, except in clinical trials. The update also includes a strong recommendation against the use of ivermectin for patients with non-severe COVID-19. WHO continues to advise that in patients with severe or critical COVID-19, ivermectin should only be used in clinical trials. more

Download (96)

View PDF (283)

Natural Disasters

Berger N., The MEDBOX Team (2023) CC

Daily news report natural catastrophies more and more frequently. The reports include earthquakes, floods, volcanos, famines and droughts. The number of fatalities from natural disasters can vary grately from year to year. Looking at the average over the last ten years, about 45,000 people died each... more

Our Recommendations

New Publications

Environmental Health In Emergencies And Disasters: A Practical Guide recommended

Infection prevention and control guideline for Ebola and Marburg disease, August 2023 recommended

Environmental Health In Emergencies And Disasters: A Practical Guide
recommended

Infection prevention and control guideline for Ebola and Marburg disease, August 2023
recommended