WHO COVID-19

preparedness and response

progress report
1 FEBRUARY TO 30 JUNE 2020
 CONTENTS
FOREWORD FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL 01

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT 02

KEY RESULTS 03

CONTEXT AND RESPONSE STRATEGY 05

A national and global preparedness and response strategy 05
Complementing a whole-of-UN approach 07
Financing the response to date 07

RESPONSE IN ACTION 13
International coordination and support 13
Coordination 13
New partnerships 13
Epidemiological analysis to inform the response 14
© World Health Organization 2020 Some rights reserved. This work is available
Risk communication and community engagement 17
under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercialShareAlike 3.0 IGO licence
(CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo) Laboratories and diagnostics 19
Technical expertise, guidance, and support 19
Under the terms of this licence, you may copy, redistribute and adapt the work for
non-commercial purposes, provided the work is appropriately cited, as indicated Case management and continuity of essential health services and systems 21
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not responsible for the content or accuracy of this translation. The original English Risk communication and community engagement 27
edition shall be the binding and authentic edition”. Surveillance, case investigation, points of entry, national laboratories  29
Any mediation relating to disputes arising under the licence shall be conducted Infection prevention and control, case management, and continuity
in accordance with the mediation rules of the World Intellectual Property of essential health services and systems 33
Organization. Operational support and logistics 35
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this
publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part Accelerating priority research and innovation 37
of WHO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or A Global Research Roadmap and call to action 37
of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Solidarity trial 39
Dotted and dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which
there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or Beyond Solidarity 39
of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or Accelerating the development of a safe and effective vaccine41
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mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products
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THE ROAD AHEAD 45
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arising from its use.
FOREWORD ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
More than six months since the world first learned of what we now call COVID-19, the time is
right to take stock of where we are in the outbreak and how the world has responded. WHO published the first COVID-19 Strategic Response and
The pandemic has already taken a terrible toll. By the end of June 2020, WHO had received Preparedness Plan (SPRP) on 3 February, 2020. This report
reports of almost 10 million cases and half a million lives lost. The pandemic continues to highlights the main points of progress that were made up to 30
accelerate; at the current rate, cases are doubling around every six weeks. We are facing a June 2020 under the three objectives outlined in the SPRP:
moment of great danger. We can only prevail if we stand together in global solidarity. scaling up international coordination and support; scaling up
country preparedness and response by pillar; and accelerating
COVID-19 will always take the path of least resistance. We know that when countries take
a comprehensive approach based on fundamental public health measures and a whole-
research and innovation. The report also discusses some
of-society approach, COVID-19 can be brought under control, saving lives and enabling of the key challenges faced so far, and provides an update
societies and economies to function. But in most of the world the virus is not under control – it on the resource requirements for the next phase of WHO’s
is thriving on delay, denial, and division. response as part of an unprecedented whole-of-UN approach
to the pandemic.
The world has shown that we are stronger when we act together with a common purpose.
Over 5000 patients in more than 20 countries have joined WHO’s Solidarity Trial, which will
continue to answer questions about which treatments are most effective. More than 600
donor contributions have helped fund more than 108 COVID-19 national plans through the
WHO Partners Platform.
Through the end of June, the joint expertise and purchasing power of agencies brought
together by the COVID-19 Supply Chain System had obtained 140 million items of personal
protective equipment, 4.5 million laboratory test kits, and 5 million sample collection kits
available for delivery throughout July and August 2020. The COVID-19 Solidarity Response
Fund for WHO raised more than US$224 million to support the response.
The Global Research Forum brought together manufacturers, regulators, academics,
national governments, civil society and international organizations to agree on a global
roadmap to accelerate priority research and development. The Access to COVID-19 Tools
(ACT) Accelerator has been launched to ensure priority research is funded, and that new
therapeutics, diagnostics and vaccines are available on the basis of need.
By working with expert networks and collaborating centres around the world, in a matter of
months WHO has published 130 guidance documents on various aspects of preparedness
and response in different contexts, constantly updated as our knowledge of the virus and how
best to beat it evolves. Through online and in-person training, technical missions and remote
support, WHO regional offices have helped countries to translate guidance and strategies
into national plans; more than 80% of countries now have such a plan, while WHO’s global
and regional platforms, country offices, and collaborative initiatives such as the Global
Outbreak Alert and Response network have helped to implement these plans on the ground.
We have achieved a lot together, but our greatest challenges still lie ahead. As the
pandemic continues to accelerate, the threat of COVID-19 is compounded by the increased
risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases caused by delays and suspensions to
immunization programmes and the interruption of core health services. Of the 63 countries
prioritized for operational assistance by WHO, more than two-thirds have suspended or
postponed vaccination programmes due to COVID-19, while less than a quarter have
identified and planned for the continuity of core health services.
Controlling COVID-19 is now the key to preventing the reversal of hard-won health and
development gains in low-income countries that have taken decades to achieve. For the
benefit of all, we must stand together against COVID-19.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Credit: WHO

WHO Director-General On 23 April 2020, the WHO country office in Ukraine supplied more than 65 000 items
of PPE to the Department of Health of Kyiv City Council. The PPE, including surgical
masks, gloves, goggles, and gowns, was delivered to frontline health care workers in
more than 30 hospitals in Kyiv.

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
KEY RESULTS: FEBRUARY–JUNE
140 million items of PPE, Proportion of countries and territories with a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan (target: 100%)
4.5 milion PCR tests
WHO-led UN Crisis- 36 447 goggles and 4.8 million sample
Management Team shipped to 135 collection kits purchased 46% 83%
coordinating 23 UN entities countries across all six through the COVID-19 A plan explains the strategy to prepare and respond across all sectors of government and society. Evidence of
across nine areas of work WHO regions Supply Chain System a plan can include a framework of response for national and subnational authorities. WHO provides Operational
and ready for shipment planning guidelines to support country preparedness and response.
through July and August At 1 March

At 30 June
Incident-management 102 106 face shields Global roadmap to
support teams set up in 147 shipped to 135 accelerate priority
countries across all six research
WHO Country Offices and six WHO regions Proportion of countries and territories with a functional COVID-19 coordination mechanism (target: 100%)
Regional Offices
45% 92%
Functional in this context means that the mechanism has the key components outlined in the Framework for a Public Health Emergency
More than 3500 patients Operations Centre, including plans/procedures, physical infrastructure, information systems and standards, and human resources.
in over 20 countries
Rapid publication of 128 875 N95 masks enrolled in the global
more than 130 technical shipped to 135 Solidarity clinical trial to
documents including in >30 countries across all six assess the effectiveness
languages WHO regions of treatments for
COVID-19 Proportion of countries and territories that have communicated COVID-19 prevention and preparedness
messages to the population (target: 100%)

43% 99%
More than 3.7 million people 3 029 650 surgical 31 countries used WHO
registered on OpenWHO and masks shipped to 135 Prevention messages include actions for individuals to protect themselves, such as hand hygiene.
Unity protocols to carry
able to access 100 COVID-19 countries across all six out epidemiological
online training courses in >30 WHO regions studies
languages

Proportion of countries and territories that have a COVID-19 community engagement plan (target: 100%)
Access to COVID-19
>150 global situation reports, 203 379 gowns shipped Tools (ACT) 19% 85%
synthesizing data from >215 to 135 countries across Accelerator launched
countries and territories, accessed all six WHO regions to accelerate the A community engagement plan should include at least four of the six recommended actions outlined in the SPRP.
more than 40 million times development of medical
countermeasures and
ensure equitable access

Reference laboratory
network supports testing Proportion of countries and territories that have access to laboratory testing capacity (target: 100%)
More than 50 Emergency 2 040 900 gloves in all WHO regions; 59
medical team deployments to shipped to 135 85% 99%
countries across all six Member States have
national COVID-19 response used the WHO shipping
WHO regions Laboratory testing capacity is defined as either in-country laboratory testing capacity, or access to international
across all six WHO regions fund to send samples for laboratories that can provide results within 72 hours.
analysis by international
colloborating laboratories
>125 countries active
on the Partners Platform, >1.5 million laboratory Proportion of countries and territories that have a COVID-19 clinical referral system (target: 100%)
with over 108 COVID19 diagnostic kits shipped
national plans uploaded to 132 countries across 37% 75%
and almost 600 donor all six WHO regions
contributions A clinical referral system should outline how patients need to be managed and streamlined by the health care system (e.g. first points
of contact for individuals, fever clinics, designated referral facilities, hotlines etc. as relevant in the national context).

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
CONTEXT AND RESPONSE STRATEGY
An escalating global emergency Figure 1  Geographical distribution of reported COVID19 cases as at 28 June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected different countries in

different ways, but across the world it has had three common,
defining characteristics:
• Speed and scale: the disease has spread quickly, and its
capacity for explosive spread means it has the potential to
overwhelm even the most resilient health systems. More
than 9 million people had been infected around the world and
almost 500 000 people were reported to have died by 28 June
(figure 1; table 1)
• Severity: an estimated 20% of cases are severe or critical,
with an increased risk of severe disease in older age groups
and in those with certain underlying conditions.
• Societal and economic disruption: shocks to health and social
care systems and measures taken to control transmission have
had broad and deep socio-economic consequences.
Global incidence of COVID-19 has continued to accelerate
(Figure 2). By 28 June 2020, confirmed COVID-19 cases
reported to WHO approached 10 million, including 500 000
deaths. Within regions and countries, densely populated, poorer
areas have been hardest hit. The Region of the Americas Confirmed cases

has been the global centre of the pandemic since mid-April.

While home to approximately 8% of the global population, the >300 000
Americas accounted for over half (56%) of cases and almost
two-thirds (64%) of global deaths during June 2020. Eastern 50 001–300 000
Mediterranean, South-East Asian, and African countries,
territories and areas have also reported an increase in the 10 000–50 000
incidence of new cases over the same period. Overall incidence
has stabilized in European and Western Pacific nations, 101–10 000
although clusters of intense transmission continue to be
observed in a number of countries. 1–100

No data
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply the expression of any
opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country,
Not applicable
A national and global response strategy territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted
and dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement.
Data: World Health Organization
WHO published the first COVID-19 Strategic Response and
Preparedness Plan (SPRP) on 3 February, 2020. The SPRP
set out the two-pronged strategy that was needed to tackle the
spread of the disease.
The SPRP set out three objectives for tackling the spread and Table 1  Confirmed cases and deaths by WHO region (as at 28 June 2020) Figure 2  Confirmed reported COVID19 cases by week up to 28 June 2020 by WHO region
limiting the harm caused by the disease. First, at the global 1 200 000
level, the SPRP described the steps needed to rapidly establish WHO region Reported cases Reported deaths
international coordination to support countries to plan, finance
and implement their response. Countries require authoritative Africa 278 815 5785 1 000 000

real-time information on the evolving epidemiology and risks; Americas 4 933 972 241 931
timely access to essential supplies, medicines and equipment;

Reported confirmed cases

800 000
and access to and training in the latest technical guidance and Eastern Mediterranean 1 024 222 23 449
best practices. Second, also at the international level, the SPRP
Europe 2 656 437 196 541 600 000
set out the necessary steps to ensure that there was a clear
and transparent global process to set research and innovation South-East Asia 735 854 20 621
priorities, to fast track and scale-up research and development, 400 000
and ensure the equitable availability of candidate therapeutics, Western Pacific 213 032 7420
vaccines, and diagnostics. These global-level initiatives feed
Other* 741 13 200 000
directly into the third crucial objective: scaling up preparedness
and response operations at the national level. To that end, Global 9 843 073 495 760
the SPRP was complemented by draft Operational Planning *Cases and deaths reported from international conveyance. 0
9 March 30 March 20 April 11 May 1 June 28 June

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
 Table 2 cont.
Guidelines to Support Country Preparedness and Response, 2020 and updated in May 2020) coordinated by the UN Office
which outlined the priority steps and actions to be included in for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Azerbaijan 10 000 000 Republic of Korea 3 300 000
country-specific preparedness and response plans across the
The GHRP sets out the most urgent health and humanitarian BMGF 11 217 758 Serbia 1 103 753
nine pillars of emergency health preparedness and response:
actions required to prepare and respond to COVID-19.
CAF 750 000 Singapore 500 000
Under the umbrella of the IASC, WHO has worked with
• Country-level coordination, planning, and monitoring; the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Canada 19 489 648 Slovakia 220 507
• Risk communication and community engagement; Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Organization for
• Surveillance, rapid-response teams, and case investigation; Migration (IOM), and the Office of the United Nations High CCCU 75 000 Slovenia 67 873
• Points of entry; Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to produce interim
guidance to scale up readiness and response capacities for CERF 20 000 000 Standard Chartered Bank 145 000
• National laboratories;
people in humanitarian settings. China 25 100 000 Switzerland 698 538
• Infection prevention and control;
• Case management; The updated GHRP was informed by a new analysis of
Côte d'Ivoire 439 351 Tetra Pak Export FZE 242 825
• Operations support and logistics; Country Response and Preparedness status for COVID-19,
• Maintaining essential health services and systems. based on the current COVID-19 situation in each country, COVID MPTF 4 951 252 Thailand 50 000
current national capacity to prepare for and respond to
COVID-19 transmission in line with the SPRP and Strategy COVID-19 Solidarity 103 840 641 UN OCHA 22 107 464
Under the SPRP, WHO and partners at the global, regional Response Fund
and national level provide technical and operational support Update, and humanitarian response plan status. As a result of
UNDP 11 141 991
under each of these pillars, with priority given to countries with this analysis, 63 countries have been prioritised for targeted
Cyprus 110 376
weak health systems and significant gaps in preparedness operational and technical support from UN agencies and their UNFPA 369 816
capacity for technical and operational implementation. To partners (figure 4). Czech Republic 258 176
UNICEF 2 497 091
facilitate this prioritization, and to identify the overall financial
Denmark 16 138 585
envelope to fund priority preparedness and response support, United Kingdom 108 354 100
a preliminary categorization of countries was done based on: Estonia 108 578
Financing the response to date United States 34 189 300
• Operational readiness capacities, based on a composite European Commission 69 565 065
of the IHR (2005) State Parties Annual Reporting tool The first analysis of country needs aligned to the SPRP Viet Nam 50 000
(SPAR, which is a self-assessment); additional information was published in February, and was the basis for an initial Finland 1 103 753
from voluntary external evaluations; pandemic influenza Vital Strategies/ Resolve to 1 433 923
estimated resource envelope of US$675 million for the health Save Lives
preparedness plans; country readiness assessment for France 2 399 661
aspects of the response, of which US$61.5 million were for
health emergencies; missions to the countries; contemporary WHO’s urgent preparedness and response activities for the Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance 3 001 751 World Bank 58 005 004
country-specific COVID-19 situation analyses; and period of February to end April 2020. This estimated resource
humanitarian needs. enveloped was updated in May to take into account the Germany 31 027 135 World Bank/PEF 5 861 975
• Position on a continuum of transmission scenarios. evolution of the pandemic and the needs of priority countries, Total 723 960 964
Guinea 193 670
with a revised requirement of US$1.74 billion for WHO’s
On 14 April WHO published a Strategy Update to the SPRP. response activities up to the end of 2020. Holy See 111 720
The update drew on technical guidance published by WHO on
preparing for and responding to COVID-19 since the beginning As of 30 June 2020, WHO had received US$724 million from Iceland 204 290
almost 60 donors (table 2), including more than US$103 Figure 3  Complementary strategies make up the whole-of-
of the pandemic. The update also provided guidance for UN approach
countries preparing for a phased transition from widespread million from the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund (Box 1). Ireland 7 439 039
transmission to a state of controlled transmission. As of 30 June 2020, WHO had distributed US$702 million Coordination, planning, and monitoring
(97% of available funds) to Country Offices, Regional Offices, Italy 454 545

Strategic preparedness
Accelerated research and development

Global humanitarian
Headquarters, and for the purchase and global distribution of Japan 50 227 272

and response plan

essential supplies (table 3). Of the US$702 million that has Risk communication and community

response plan
Complementing a whole-of-UN, whole- been distributed, 62% had been utilized by 30 June 2020. King Baudouin Foundation 3 250 000
engagement

of-government, whole-of-society More than half (US$322 million) of all funds distributed have
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 10 000 000
Surveillance
gone to GHRP priority countries (table 4) Laboratories
approach Points of entry, and international travel
WHO is extremely grateful to all who have contributed, and Kuwait 60 000 000
The SPRP and the Operational Planning Guidelines to is especially grateful for the donations of fully flexible funding Case management
Support Country Preparedness and Response are designed Latvia 108 577
that allow WHO to direct resources to where they are most Infection prevention and control
to underpin the health aspect of a broader whole-of-UN, needed. Having fully flexible funding is critical to responding Liechtenstein 320 513 Technical support and guidance
whole-of-government, and whole-of-society approach to the in real-time, and to responding equitably on the basis of need
COVID-19 crisis (figure 3). The SPRP complements separate Operational support and logistics
(see The Road Ahead, below). Luxembourg 1 233 509
plans to address the parallel socio-economic emergency Essential health services and systems
caused by COVID-19. In addition, to address the needs New Zealand 1 258 685
Table 2:  Contributions to SPRP as of 30 June 2020

Socio-economic
of countries where urgent humanitarian activities must be

response plan
Protecting people
Norway 3 067 790
supported to continue in addition to urgent new health and Contributor Received
non-health requirements due to COVID-19, WHO is part of the Economic recovery
(US$) Novartis International 499 690
Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) COVID-19 Global
Macroeconomic response
Humanitarian Response Plan (GHRP; issued on 25 March African Development Bank 2 000 000 OFID 500 000
Social cohesion
Australia 10 069 651 Pandemic Tech 20 000

Austria 3 086 123 Cont...

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
 Figure 4  GHRP Priority countries, territories, and areas identified for targeted technical and operational support
Priority countries territories or areas 
Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Aruba*,
Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burundi,
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African
Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Curaçao*, Djibouti, Dominican Republic,
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador,
Egypt, Ethiopia, Guyana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq,
Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali,
Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria,
oPt, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
Phillipines, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sierra
Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria,
Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey,
Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yemen,
Zambia, Zimbabwe.

* Aruba (Netherlands), Curaçao (Netherlands)

Countries included in GHRP in March Source: OCHA. Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion
whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or
Countries added to GHRP in May concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
 Table 3: Overview of funds distributed to and utilized by major WHO region* (data as of 30 June 2020) Table 4: Funds distribued by WHO to GHRP countries by major WHO region* (data as of 30 June 2020)

Distributed (US$) Utilized (US$) Proportion Country, territory, or area Funds Eastern Mediterranean region Region of the Americas
utilized distributed Afghanistan 11 819 667 Argentina 495 904
Regional Office for Africa 126 705 622 55 133 435 44% (US$)
Djibouti 1 000 952 Bolivia 1 033 080
Regional Office for the Americas 53 258 844 19 295 203 36% African region
Egypt 897 024 Brazil 607 112
Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean 127 819 999 59 163 745 46% Angola 1 026 977
Iran, Islamic Republic of 74 857 262 Chile 437 897
Regional Office for Europe 63 721 276 33 328 692 52% Benin 676 015
Iraq 9 850 000 Colombia 2 329 444
Regional Office for South-East Asia 50 515 526 24 149 432 48% Burkina Faso 5 956 217
Jordan 4 877 341 Costa Rica 417 234
Regional Office for the Western Pacific 34 498 807 15 489 723 45% Burundi 334 000
Lebanon 11 509 798 Dominican Republic 1 009 593
Headquarters 33 539 617 25 200 141 75% Cameroon 3 965 575
Libya 2 245 464 Ecuador 1 025 137
Essential global supplies 231 784 738 213 444 192 92% Central African Republic 3 461 370
occupied Palestinian territory 11 424 877 Haiti 9 696 709
Total 702 322 608 437 171 130 62% Chad 4 741 555
Pakistan 7 160 178 Mexico 1 463 792
*Totals for Regional Offices include all funds distributed for countries within that region. Congo, The Democratic 16 954 382
Somalia 5 452 747 Panama 7 433 357
Republic of the
Syrian Arab Republic 8 384 202 Paraguay 1 215 317
Box 1:  COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund Ethiopia 10 124 839
Yemen 11 715 510 Trinidad and Tobago 551 927
The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for As at 30 June 2020, the Fund has allocated: Kenya 3 719 405
the World Health Organization (WHO) enables Total 161 195 022 Uruguay 248 363
• US$117.8 million to WHO for response coordination Liberia 1 424 201
corporations, individuals, foundations, and other
organizations around the world to directly support
and procurement and distribution of essential European region Venezuela 2 838 393
Mali 1 184 579
commodities;
global efforts, led by WHO, to help countries prevent, Turkey 2 423 040 Total 30 803 259
detect, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. • US$10 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Mozambique 822 053
Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to accelerate Ukraine 10 050 508 Grand total 322 517 186
The Solidarity Fund was created at the request Niger 1 208 579
COVID-19 vaccine research and development;
of WHO by the United Nations Foundation (UNF) Total 12 473 548
Nigeria 17 140 586
and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation (SPF). The • US$10 million to UNICEF to support vulnerable
intended use of the Solidarity Fund is to contribute countries with access to water, sanitation and Republic of the Congo 1 397 649 South-East Asia region
towards funding the COVID-19 SPRP. The Solidarity hygiene, and basic infection prevention and control
Rwanda 591 956 Bangladesh 13 095 731
Fund is a first-of-its-kind platform for the private measures, and to provide access to care for
sector and the general public to actively accelerate vulnerable families and children; Korea, Democratic People's 941 120
and support global efforts to contain and mitigate Sierra Leone 1 090 059
• US$20 million to WFP to scale up a global logistics Republic of
the ongoing pandemic by pooling flexible financial South Sudan 12 293 495
distribution system so that essential supplies can Myanmar 2 607 686
resources.
reach those most in need; Tanzania, United Republic of 2 003 900
The Solidarity Fund has also given rise to a unique Total 16 644 537
• US$10 million to UNHCR to support urgent
opportunity for inter-agency collaboration, as it Togo 1 442 664
needs such as risk communication and community Western Pacific region
funds a broad range of activities needed to combat
engagement on hygiene practices, hygiene and Uganda 2 894 129
the pandemic, including those undertaken by
medical supplies, establishment of isolation units Philippines 5 375 509
key partners such as UNICEF, which has joined
in countries, and support global preparedness Zambia 851 126
Solidarity Fund efforts to support vulnerable Total 5 375 509
activities.
groups, and the World Food Program (WFP), which Zimbabwe 720 000
has joined the Solidarity Fund efforts to deliver • US$5 million to the United Nations Relief and
vital supplies to front-line responders during the Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near Total 96 025 311
pandemic. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has East to reduce the risk of infection and COVID-19
joined the fund to support refugee populations. associated morbidity.
As of 30 June 2020, the COVID-19 Solidarity • US$5 million to WHO for the Africa Centres for
Response Fund has raised more than Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to
US$224 million in donations and firm pledges from strengthen the response to the pandemic in Africa,
more than 529 000 individual donors, and more including support for vulnerable women and girls;
than 150 corporations and foundations. The second
Solidarity Response Fund impact report has been • US$3 million to WHO for Unity Studies to enhance
published covering the period to 31 May 2020. understanding of the characteristics of the virus and
inform public health measures to limit transmission.

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
RESPONSE IN ACTION
The scale of the COVID‑19 crisis has required a significant shift in the international system to support countries to plan, finance
and implement their response, and WHO has led the international community in supporting these efforts across the world. Epidemiological analysis to inform the Under the case-based surveillance approach, 135 Member
response States, areas and territories have reported detailed
Countries need authoritative real-time information on the evolving epidemiology and risks; timely access to essential supplies,
information for more than 3.9 million cases using the WHO
medicines and equipment; the latest technical guidance and best practices; rapidly accessible and deployable technical expertise,
In any disease outbreak, information is power. case report form. This represents close to 40% of total cases
access to an emergency health workforce and medical teams; and equitable access to newly developed vaccines, therapeutics,
Epidemiological data are continuing to answer key questions reported in the world, and is providing a vital resource for the
diagnostics and other innovations. This part of the report details some of the work that has been done to rapidly create and refine
about the epidemiological transmission features of COVID-19, analysis of transmission trends, allowing in-depth analysis
that global support system, the work that continues to improve it, and, most importantly, how this has translated into targeted,
helping to understand how it spreads in different contexts, on age, gender, comorbidities and outcomes since the
tangible operational and technical support on the ground in affected regions and countries.
and informing high-level strategic and operational decisions in beginning of the outbreak, as well as comparison between
the response. WHO has worked to ensure that the data that countries. At the aggregate level, 54 Member States report
underpin these decisions are timely and accurate. WHO took weekly minimum data sets, while transmission classifications
rapid action with partners to establish a global surveillance are recorded and published daily for all countries. Moreover,
International coordination and support people living under the duress of the pandemic, with a focus system that gathers standardized data at global, regional
and country levels. Each day, WHO continues to collate,
in collaborating with international organizations, academic
on the most vulnerable countries, groups, and people who institutions and public health agencies, a global open content
risk being left behind. Together with WHO’s SPRP, these validate, analyse and disseminate official daily cases and dataset of public health and social measures implemented
Coordination three complementary strategies provide a comprehensive deaths reported by 212 countries, territories and areas. These by countries is maintained and updated regularly. Data
overarching framework for the whole-of-UN coordinated data are routinely published through a wealth of country and from all sources are quality checked, harmonized and
The SPRP, published on 3 February 2020, outlined the support response to the pandemic. region-specific situation reports and dashboards, as well as maintained in a central database. The Health Information
that WHO and the international community stands ready to globally via the WHO COVID-19 Dashboard – which has Pillar continues to produce guidance on important topics for
provide to enable all countries to prepare for and respond to continued to receive between 1-2 million visitors per week. Member States, such as updated guidance on surveillance
COVID-19. Concurrently, regional and global WHO COVID-19 Situation strategies, contact tracing, and indicators to assess when
New partnerships Reports have continued to serve as a daily digest of global considering adjustments to public health and social measures.
Overall UN coordination is provided through the UN Crisis WHO has actively engaged Member States in the response, epidemiolocal trends and self-assessed country transmission Concurrently, the pillar continues to support several advisory
Management Team, which was established on 4 February and the WHO Director-General has provided advice and classifications, while highlighting important recent events, groups, international public health agencies and modelling
2020. This is the highest possible level of crisis alert in the support to all requests coming from various Member State guidance and actions taken by WHO and partners. These groups, to contribute toward strategic development and
UN system, and this is the first time this mechanism has been groupings such as the African Union, ASEAN, the EU, the G7, reports are viewed by over 3 million readers each week. WHO synthesis of epidemiological evidence and information to
activated for a public health crisis. the G20, the G12 donors, as well as other regional multilateral continues to also strengthen complementary surveillance at guide the global response.
On 12 February 2020, the Operational Planning Guidelines organizations to support and finance the response. WHO the level of individual cases where appropriate, and at the
to support the development of COVID19 National Plans advises Member States based on all available evidence and aggregate level for countries with sustained transmission.
were issued by WHO, and the COVID-19 Partners Platform science, as it becomes available.
(also referred to as the Partners Platform) was launched on The World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund and
16 March. The Partners Platform is a key coordination and other multilateral development banks and financial institutions
governance tool. For the first time in a pandemic, national including GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund, and
authorities, UN Country Teams, and partners are able to UNITAID, have provided emergency support for developing In Focus:  Established partnerships bear fruit in Viet Nam, as GOARN delivers Go.Data
collaborate in the global COVID-19 response in real-time. countries to fast-track financial and operational facilities for
The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) teams can tailor its functionality to a variety of outbreak
The COVID-19 Partners Platform: COVID-19 response. Collaborative arrangements established
is a collaboration of institutions and networks that pools scenarios or implement it for concurrent outbreaks.
under the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Wellbeing
• Facilitates planning aligned to international COVID-19 human and technical resources for rapid identification,
for All are being used for the COVID-19 response.
guidance developed in collaboration with national authorities confirmation and response to outbreaks of international “An efficient resource for data sharing and establishment
and partners; The unique scale of the COVID‑19 crisis has required WHO importance, including the COVID-19 outbreak. WHO of epidemiological links is key to the response to any
and the international community to reach out beyond their own worked with GOARN partners to design, develop and disease outbreak. WHO, in collaboration with GOARN,
• Supports the monitoring of preparedness and response capacity. To make private sector outreach and engagement deploy Go.Data: an outbreak investigation tool for field data has made tremendous efforts in rendering tools, such as
activities at national and subnational levels; more systematic and coordinated, WHO regularly convenes collection during outbreaks of infectious diseases and public Go.Data, to countries, including Viet Nam, as they manage
• Enables the costing of resource requests when they are not a group of international associations including the World health emergencies. outbreaks of infectious diseases,” said Dr Kidong Park, WHO
available at the country level; Economic Forum (WEF), International Chamber of Commerce Representative in Viet Nam. “The introduction of Go.Data
(ICC), the International Organization of Employers, the UN The comprehensive outbreak investigation tool is now in the country is very timely and will hopefully bring to the
• Provides visibility into the donor contributions that have been Global Compact and others. being used in a number of countries and by development table innovative solutions, especially as the country now
committed in the context of this outbreak. partners. To date, there have been 35 Go.Data installations faces COVID-19. We look forward to working further with the
The WHO Director-General participated as a featured speaker
To date more than 75% of WHO Member States (>150 in institutions and/or countries, including Viet Nam in March Ministry of Health and other partners to ensure effective use
in videoconference calls hosted by WEF with hundreds of
countries, territories, or areas) have joined the Partners 2020, when the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted of this tool in support of our responders on the ground.”
the world’s top companies. WHO released a joint statement
Platform, 108 COVID-19 national plans have been added a series of trainings in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City and Nha
with the ICC urging businesses to implement their business
to the system, and more than 70 donors have routed their Trang, as part of WHO’s support to the country’s response to In addition to building the capacity of Viet Nam’s outbreak
continuity plans, and issuing calls to action to national
contributions through the platform, totaling more than the COVID-19 outbreak responders, WHO will continue to provide support in setting
governments and national chambers of commerce to, among
US$3 billion. The Partners Platform is a unifying, transparent, up and troubleshooting the Go.Data system in the country.
other things, work together with UN Country Teams and
global mechanism for use by the global partnership responding Participants of the trainings in Viet Nam included Since January 2020, 150 institutions in 92 countries have
prioritize supply chains and cross-border flow of essential
to emergencies such as COVID-19. epidemiologists, members of rapid response teams, and expressed interest in receiving similar support to implement
medical goods.
other frontline public health workers. Go.Data includes the outbreak investigation tool, and WHO is working with
On 25 March 2020, OCHA issued the COVID‑19 GHRP and On 20 April 2020, WHO, the International Telecommunication functionality for case investigation, contact tracing and follow- GOARN partners to meet this demand.
activated the IASC scale-up protocol to mobilize the whole Union (ITU) with support from UNICEF announced a up, and visualization of chains of transmission, including
humanitarian system to support the GHRP’s implementation. partnership to work with telecommunication companies to secure real-time data exchange. These tools facilitate timely
Simultaneously, the UN Development Coordination Office text people directly on their mobile phones with vital health situation monitoring and response as investigations take
(UNDCO) led the development of a UN framework for the messaging to help protect them from COVID-19. These text place. The tool is also flexible enough so that response
immediate socio-economic response to COVID‑19, which messages will reach billions of people who aren’t able to
outlines an integrated support package offered by the UN connect to the internet for information.
Development System to protect the needs and rights of

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
In addition to standard epidemiolgical data, we also
need to gather data to deepen our understanding
of transmission patterns, severity, clinical features
and risk factors for infection, all of which were
unknown at the start of the outbreak. To address
these unknowns, WHO has provided Four Early
Investigation Protocols (known as the WHO Unity
Studies) designed to rapidly and systematically
collect and share data in a format that facilitates
aggregation, tabulation, and analysis across
different settings globally.

Data collected using these investigation protocols

is used to continually refine recommendations for
case definitions and surveillance, characterize
key epidemiological features of COVID-19, help
understand spread, severity, spectrum of disease,
and impact on the community and to inform
guidance for application of countermeasures such
as case isolation and contact tracing.

The WHO COVID-19 dashboard presents verified

epidemiological data that can be explored and
visialized in a multitude of ways, from global views
of the geographical distribution of the extent of the
pandemic over time, to more detailed visualisations
of epidemiological trends in individual countries,
territories, and areas. Users can also download data
from the dashboard. Shown clockwise from top is the
geographical distribution of total cases, country-level
epi-curves (here showing the six countries with the
most reported cases), and the global daily incidence of
new cases and deaths since March 2020.

Global Situation Situation by Country, Territory, or Area

15 16
COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
Risk communication and community IFRC with support from the Global Outbreak Alert and Response
engagement Network (GOARN) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As
part of a phased approach, two service hubs will be established in
The 2019‑nCoV outbreak and response has been
the African region, with dedicated staff first deployed in Senegal
accompanied by an “infodemic:” an over-abundance
and Kenya with global coordination from Geneva.
of information — some accurate and some not — that
makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources The service will provide a dedicated coordination structure and
and reliable guidance when they need it. Managing the improve greater collaboration among key stakeholders at all levels,
COVID-19 pandemic and the related infodemic requires supporting the coordinated delivery of the Risk Communication
swift, regular and coordinated action from multiple and Community Engagement strategy produced by WHO,
sectors of society, communities and governments. To UNICEF, and IFRC aligned with the WHO COVID-19 SPRP
this end, WHO has developed an innovative initiative and the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan. The
called the WHO Information Network for Epidemics Collective Service will work across four strategic areas to:
(EPI-WIN). EPI-WIN covers four strategic areas of work
• Strengthen coordinated approaches in order to maximize the
to respond to infodemics: (i) identifying, gathering and
sharing of resources, information and expertise at global, regional
assessing real-time evidence to help form public health and country levels;
recommendations and policies; (ii) simplifying this
knowledge into actionable behavioral change messages; • Improve quality and shift the focus towards community
(iii) amplifying impact by engaging communities and engagement approaches grounded on social data, perceptions
reaching out to key stakeholders in communities with and community insights that regularly inform public health
measures, inter-agency standards and monitoring frameworks;
tailored advice and messages; and (iv), quantifying,
monitoring, and tracking the infodemic through social • Amplify the views and perspectives of communities, enabling
media technology platforms to guide the effectiveness of them to influence decision-making within the response;
public health measures. • Strengthen local capacity and existing coordination mechanisms,
WHO EPI-WIN translates new science into evidence- through RCCE mentoring support and resource sharing with local
based messaging and information products. By the end actors working in the public health, humanitarian and development
of April the EPI-WIN team had published more than sectors.
145 products, including FAQs, videos and animations,
infographics and messaging, and mythbusters.
To better address audience and community needs, a key In Focus:  Countering misinformation
activity of EPI-WIN is its regular “engagement webinars”
with key stakeholders to understand their concerns and WHO has joined forces with the communications teams at the
information needs. This enables WHO to tailor advice Government of the United Kingdom and the Prime Minister’s office
and messages to help these stakeholders communicate for an awareness campaign about the risks of incorrect and false
the right messages to the audiences they interact with. information regarding the pandemic. “Stop The Spread” is a global
Through this process, stakeholders amplify the right campaign, rolled out on BBC World television, website and apps
public health messages though established, trusted and during May and June 2020.
recognized channels. EPI-WIN’s regular engagement
calls target the most affected sectors. To date WHO has The campaign aims to raise awareness among BBC audiences of
convened 60 technical webinars through EPI-WIN since the risks of misinformation on COVID-19. It encourages them to
January 2020, providing a channel for rapid information double check information from unreliable sources and promotes
dissemination and a forum for participants to pose their WHO and national health authorities as trusted sources of
own questions and shape the content of future webinars. information.
Cumulatively, EPI-WIN COVID-19 live webinars have In addition to the global TV and web channels, the campaign
reached over 13 000 participants from 121 countries and will also roll out through BBC digital apps in these 20 countries
territories. worldwide.
The next goal for EPI-WIN is quantifcation of the extent Africa - Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia
and influence of information disseminated and consumed Asia – Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand
through the web, mass and social media, chat apps Europe – Azerbaijan, Moldova
and other information channels. WHO is currently Middle East – Libya, Tunisia
working with partners to develop a framework for an
Latin America – Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Paraguay
evidence-based, quantifiable understanding of the global
COVID-19 conversations through an analysis of online The UK government will also offer a toolkit of the campaign assets
platforms. This, in turn, will inform the development of to partner governments to translate and use in their countries,
analytical capabilities for the real-time monitoring of so there is a unified message across governments on this very
audience conversations about COVID-19. important topic.
To promote community empowerment and trust BBC has provided its platforms for this campaign pro bono as part
throughout the COVID-19 response, and further of its partnership agreement with WHO to amplify the importance
strengthen risk communication and community of accurate health messages. The UK government has ensured
engagement coordination at all levels, a Global Risk the funding of the campaign and is leading tracking engagement.
Communication and Community Engagement Collective
Service has been launched by WHO, UNICEF and

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
 focal points worldwide, who are working closely with the the COVID‑19 GHRP to respond and preserve existing
Laboratory and diagnostics response, genetic sequence data provided through the GISAID EMT secretariat at WHO to continuously monitor, guide, humanitarian health action and commitments in line with
influenza genetic sequence database have the potential to give and facilitate national and international COVID‑19 response the GHRP 2020. WHO and the GHC have coordinated
Diagnostic laboratory testing is a cornerstone of the us key insights into COVID-19, and possible treatments. Since
management of the COVID-19 pandemic. It allows for operations. inputs from partners on the first update of the Global
the start of the COVID-19 outbreak and the identification of the Humanitarian Response Plan, including mental health and
the detection of cases to inform care and for the isolation pandemic virus, laboratories around the world have generated The EMT secretariat is involved in intensive discussions
of infected individuals to interrupt disease transmission. psychosocial services, gender-based violence, protection
viral genome sequence data with unprecedented speed, enabling to strengthen capacity and support to countries in Africa.
Confirmatory testing also enables the disease to be tracked and specific needs of older people and migrants, minimum
real-time progress in the understanding of the new disease, In addition, EMTs worldwide are identifying technical
in the community, and for clusters of cases to be identified. Sphere humanitarian standards, and issues related to
and in the research and development of candidate medical experts and coordinators who can support integrated public
WHO endeavors to ensure that all Member States have Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and the Integrated
countermeasures. Sequence data are essential to design and health and clinical teams. By the end of June, a total of 23
timely and accurate testing capacity for COVID-19. This is Food Security Phase Classification. Analysis is ongoing
evaluate diagnostic tests, to track and trace the ongoing outbreak, EMTs had been internationally deployed, with a further 43
done through several mechanisms. to strengthen projections and service requirements for
and to identify potential intervention options. From 1 February to EMTs supporting national operations in the response to
COVID-19 cases and wider humanitarian needs, and
First, a reference laboratory network has been established 26 June 2020, 53 968 SARS-CoV2 genome sequences had been COVID-19. EMTs are deployed to all WHO regions, with the
monitoring the impact of COVID-19 protection measures
across the six WHO regions, and recently expanded shared through the GISAID database, including over 53 511 full majority of EMTs deployed in Africa: Ghana, South Africa,
on access to essential health services. The Global
to include 24 laboratories with expertise in virology, genomes. Zambia, Senegal, Burkina Faso (two teams), Ethiopia,
Health Cluster is co-leading the new Global Information
diagnostics, sequencing, and viral culture. These Cameroon, Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
. Management, Assessment and Analysis Cell (GIMAC) on
laboratories act to support Member States that currently Republic of the Congo, and Zimbabwe. The European
COVID-19 (along with OCHA, UNHCR and IOM) to support
region has received the next most deployments, with four
do not have testing capacity or need to get confirmation of Technical expertise, guidance, and support GHRP countries with analysis and monitoring.
their initial test results while building in-country capacity. international and two national EMTs deployed in Italy. At a
These same laboratories serve as a valuable source of All of WHO’s operational, technical and research networks have conservative estimate, more than 4000 beds are supported The GHC COVID-19 Task Team was established in May to
support for strategic planning for the WHO HQ team, been activated in the fight against COVID-19. Experts from by EMTs. support partners to identify and adapt existing COVID-19
and also provide guidance to the WHO Regional Office around the world and frontline responders are reviewing all guidance to operational contexts in humanitarian settings,
In addition, the Global Health Cluster (GHC) continues
laboratory focal points. WHO also works through the available evidence to develop and update technical guidance for identify and share learning, and identify and address critical
to support Health Clusters in 27 countries to implement
operations support and logistics pillar to supply countries countries to prepare and respond to COVID‑19. Much has been needs and gaps.
with essential laboratory equipment and consumables on learnt about COVID‑19 in the more than six months since it was
the basis of need. first identified, but there remain significant knowledge gaps that
must be filled by ongoing surveillance and research activities.
Second, through the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Research protocols to address these gaps have been rapidly and
and Response System (GISRS), countries are testing for transparently developed.
COVID-19 disease in clinical specimens coming in from
influenza sentinel surveillance sites every week. GISRS The first comprehensive set of technical guidance was published
laboratories in 122 Member States are currently testing for on 10 January 2020, and is being constantly reviewed and
COVID-19. Of these, 48 Member States tested 1.8 million revised based on available evidence. Technical guidance is being
specimens collected through GISRS systems and reported adapted for different settings and contexts based on the intensity
COVID-19 results to the WHO platform FluNet/FluID/ of transmission, the capacity of countries to implement public
FluMart. Systematic sampling and standardized testing of health measures, and available resources, and translate key
patient samples from SARI and/or ILI sentinel sites is an actions required for countries through the EPI-WIN platform and
efficient way to monitor SARS-CoV2 virus transmission in other information products. Almost 4 million people have enrolled
communities. on the OpenWHO training platform, which has COVID‑19-specific
courses available in 30 languages, and has so far issued more
Importantly, two established GISRS systems have than 860 000 certificates of completion. Direct technical support
supported the COVID response from the beginning. missions have been provided in all regions (see the scaling up
First, an External Quality Assurance Program (EQAP) country readiness and response section for more information).
for COVID-19 was rapidly put in place through the WHO
GISRS mechanism. As of 24 June, 234 laboratories in Esri, the global leader in geographic information system (GIS)
161 Member States confirmed participation, 178 panels software, is providing a free and comprehensive ArcGIS package
have been shipped, of which 95% (141 of 149 assessed) to all GOARN partners and ministries of health to support the
were validated as accurate. In addition, a shipment project COVID-19 response. WHO and GOARN partners are working
through the established GISRS shipping mechanism to facilitate online ArcGIS training to build and improve the
enabled rapid transport of samples to WHO reference operational capacity of partners. WHO is assessing GIS training
laboratories for confirmatory testing. By the end of 24 June needs and capacity among GOARN partners.
2020, 88 shipments from 59 Member States have been Direct technical assistance to Member States is also facilitated
made through the project. through GOARN, which has made over 400 offers of technical
For the beginning of the southern hemisphere support. Experts have been deployed from 27 partner institutions
influenza season, and in preparation for the upcoming and technical networks to provide support to countries directly and
by remote assistance. Credit: WHO
northern hemisphere season 2020–2021, WHO has
developed practical guidance, advocacy materials and GOARN colleagues from UNICEF, IFRC, US CDC, and OCHA are
communications for countries to enhance vigilance for the embedded in the global COVID‑19 incident management team
threat of influenza and prepare for the co-circulation of and are supporting all pillars of response.
influenza and SARS-CoV2 viruses.
Access to emergency health workforce capacity is coordinated A Polish Emergency Medical Team arrives in Kyrgyzstan to boost case management capacity.
In addition to the direct impact of diagnostic testing on the through the over 100 Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) and

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
 Operations support and logistics procurement of PPE, testing supplies and biomedical
equipment. Through a purchasing consortium for PPE,
The global COVID-19 outbreak has led to an acute substantial contracts have been secured for substantial volumes of
shortage of essential supplies, including personal protective masks, gloves and other critical supplies to protect frontline
equipment, diagnostics, and supplies for clinical management. healthcare workers. As at 30 June 2020, WHO is currently
This has made the procurement and delivery of resources on in the process of placing purchase orders for these supplies,
the basis of need extremely challenging. while the consortium continues efforts to secure additional
To overcome these challenges, a Supply Chain Task Force quantities of PPE.
co-chaired by WHO and WFP has been convened to establish WHO continues to strongly advocate for the urgent need to
an integrated COVID-19 Supply Chain System (CSCS). increase production of these life-saving supplies to strengthen
The Supply Chain Task Force includes representation from response capacity of Member States confronting the
each participating organization (WHO, WFP, UNICEF, OCHA, COVID-19 pandemic.
World Bank, The Global Fund, UNOPS, UNDP, UNFPA,
UNHCR, NGOs, Red Cross and Federation and other cluster Table 5  Overview of COVID-19 Supply Portal requests
partners). to 30 June 2020
The day-to-day operational activities under the Task Force WHO Region No. of No. of Approx. value
are performed by the Supply Chain Inter-Agency Coordination countries validated (million $US)
Cell (SCICC), which ensures that COVID-19 needs are submitting requests
prioritized within the wider humanitarian response. requests
Three purchasing consortia have been established at global Africa 23 83 41.5
level for each of the key product areas: personal protective
equipment, diagnostics, and clinical management. These Eastern Mediterranean 2 6 4.9
consortia coordinate and leverage the existing systems,
expertise, and capacity of the participating partners. Europe 8 36 17.7
Membership in each of the purchasing consortia varies, but
South-East Asia 3 5 3.4
includes WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, UNOPS, the Global Fund,
World Bank, UNITAID, PAHO, Africa CDC, BMGF, FIND, Americas 7 47 20.7
CHAI, DFID and PATH.
Western Pacific 5 51 3.8
Crucially, every approved stakeholder who has an active role
in a national level COVID-19 preparedness and response Total 48 228 92
action plan can request supplies through the CSCS via the
COVID-19 Supply Portal (available on the Partners Portal).
The COVID-19 Supply Portal is a purpose-built tool to Travel and trade
facilitate national authorities and all implementing partners
supporting COVID-19 national action plans to request critical Organizations representing aviation, maritime, trade,
supplies. and tourism sectors have worked with WHO to develop
joint guidance, joint statements of support, to monitor the
WHO has published and disseminated guidance on every aspect of the health response to COVID-19 in every context, adapted by region and The CSCS approach is already paying dividends. With measures taken by governments and private entities that
country (and rapidly translated into local languages). Training of millions of individuals through technical missions and online platforms has helped to support from the Solidarity Response Fund, the diagnostics impact international travel and trade, and to assess and
operationalize the guidance around the world.
consortium has secured 4.5 million manual Polymerase Chain mitigate the health and economic impact of such measures, in
Reaction (PCR) tests for US$49 million and almost 5 million line with the provisions of the International Health Regulations
sample collections kits. These initial purchases will serve as (2005).
a catalyst for securing supplies for additional procurement,
as payments from countries receiving these deliveries will All parts of the global economy have been severely affected
Case management and continuity of and have therefore been disproportionality affected. Even provide additional funding for procuring more supplies and by COVID-19, but no sector has been hit as hard as
essential health services very robust health systems can be rapidly overwhelmed equipment for delivery in the coming months. international travel and trade, and few sectors are as vital to
and compromised by an explosive COVID‑19 outbreak. the response. Moving large volumes of vital supplies from
One of the defining features of COVID‑19 is the huge Since the launch of the COVID-19 Supply Portal, 228 consolidation hubs to final destinations in countries has
stress placed on health systems and health workers At the global level, WHO has worked with expert requests for essential supplies have been submitted and
networks to rapidly publish extensive technical guidance been made extremely difficult by the collapse in commercial
by the large proportion of COVID‑19 patients who can validated at country-level by supply coordinators working transport worldwide. Most recently, WHO, as custodian of the
require quality clinical care. Many patients need help to and rapid scientific briefs on various aspects of clinical on behalf of Resident Coordinators. More than 143
care and the continuity of essential health services, all International Health Regulations (2005), has worked urgently
breathe, with outbreaks placing acute burdens on staffing supply coordinators have been appointed from WHO and with all partners in order to ensure that transport corridors can
levels, availability of equipment, and crucial supplies such of which are available and regularly updated on the partner agencies, including UNICEF, WFP, the Office of
WHO COVID-19 publications hub. In addition, WHO be operated safely in support of the global response. In April
as medical oxygen, ventilators, and personal protective the Resident Coordinator, UNDP and UNOPS. Together, 2020, the Directors-General of WHO, and the International
equipment (PPE). Frontline health workers have had to has procured and shipped more than 14 000 oxygen supply coordinators have validated requests valued at over
concentrators and 10 000 pulse oximeters to more than Labour Organization (ILO) and the Secretary-General of
put themselves in harm’s way to save lives, and some US$92 million (table 5), with more requests being submitted the IMO issued a joint statement on medical certificates of
have lost their own lives as a result. In many countries, 120 countries, and has procured more than 140 million every day. seafarers, ship sanitation certificates (SSCs),and medical care
women account for up to 70% of the health workforce, essential items of PPE for shipment to 135 countries.
WHO is engaged in discussions with suppliers to explore of seafarers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
further channels of cooperation for sourcing pooled

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
 EPI-WIN tranlsates WHO’s
technical guidance into simple
messages for the public. Scaling up country readiness and Table 6  Overview of COVID-19 support missions from WHO
Regional Offices up to 30 June 2020
response: the comparative advantage of
WHO’s regional structure WHO Region Number of Number of
countries missions
hosting
International coordination and support is essential because missions
it underpins and enables the work of national governments,
WHO and partners at regional and national level to support Africa 18 42
preparedness and response operations at community level. Eastern Mediterranean 22* 22*
This is how we will ultimately control the pandemic: working
with all of government and all of society in every society to stop Europe 20 74
transmission in our communities. The SPRP and the Operational
Planning Guidelines to Support Country Preparedness and South-East Asia 11* 40*
Response set out the key pillars of response at regional, national Americas 20 25
and subnational level:
Western Pacific 37* 149*
• Country-level coordination, planning, and monitoring;
• Risk communication and community engagement; Total 128 352

• Surveillance, rapid-response teams, and case investigation; *Includes dedicated remote support.

• Points of entry;
which are collaborating with WHO hubs; health networks such
• National laboratories;
as the West African Network for Tuberculosis, Aids, Malaria
• Infection prevention and control; and NTDs (WANETAM), Network of National Public Health
Institute of Lusophone speaking countries (RINSP), African Field
• Case management;
Epidemiology Network (AFENET), and International Association
• Operations support and logistics; of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI).
• Maintaining essential health services and systems. In the European region, WHO has developed a series of
Regional Platforms with key partners and networks to facilitate
The previous section detailed the work at a global level that the alignment of COVID-19 guidance across the Region, and
has strengthened these pillars at the national level. But equally expand WHO’s preparedness and response activities. The
important has been the role of the WHO Regional Offices and GOARN and the WHO Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs)
regional partnerships platforms, which have been able to deliver initiative have both played key roles in providing operational and
vital targeted support in areas where there has been no other technical support to countries. Professional networks of experts
source of help. in respiratory pathogens including the European Influenza
One of the primary vehicles for supporting countries from the surveillance network have also been leveraged to support
regional level has been the deployment of technical and partner countries. WHO works side by side with the European Centre
support missions. These missions enable experts from WHO for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), regional networks
and partners to deliver targeted and tailored technical guidance and national counterparts, to update and enhance surveillance
on a range of issues including laboratory support, disease strategies. The work carried out extends to all countries across
surveillance, operational planning, points of entry support, the Region, including EU and non-EU member states.
hospital preparedness, and infection prevention and control. In the Americas, WHO/PAHO’s Regional Database on Health
Despite the ongoing travel restrictions and disruption, WHO Technology Assessments (HTA, or BRISA according to its
Regional Offices have continued to deploy experts to support Spanish acronym) has provided health authorities from across
countries in situ wherever safe and feasible. Where it has not the Americas with guidance on medical devices and other health
been possible to make direct deployments, Regional Offices equipment critical to providing care for COVID-19 patients. At
have implemented innovative digital solutions such as webinars the end of June 2020, 44 HTA reports were available on items
and remote working to overcome the challenges posed by travel related to COVID-19, and web visits have jumped by 184%
restrictions (table 6). compared to the same period last year. WHO/PAHO also
launched the COVID-19 Evidence Portal to serve as a space for
Regional platforms have also been an essential support-delivery resources from across the Americas to be made available to the
tool as the pandemic has progressed. public. Classified by their relevance for saving lives, protecting
In the African region alone, the WHO Regional Office has health care workers, and slowing spread, users have access to
coordinated with platforms including the health agencies from the 1449 documents in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
regional economic community such as the West African Health Further details of WHO’s work with regional platforms and
Organization and the East African Community partners are provided below.

23 24
COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
Country-level coordination, planning, and planning and coordination. Across all regions there has been
Monitoring progress
monitoring a marked improvement in planning and coordination capacity
between 1 March and 30 June. The proportion of Member Proportion of countries and territories with a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan (target: 100%)
A public health emergency on the scale of COVID-19 will test States in all regions with a preparedness and response plan has
the resilience of nations, businesses, and communities. In increased from 46% to 83% over the period, with an increase 46% 83%
national risk management, the government is the natural leader from 45% to 92% in the proportion of Member States with a
for overall coordination and communication. These efforts are functional COVID-19 coordination mechanism. The target for both A plan explains the strategy to prepare and respond across all sectors of government and society. Evidence of
supported by WHO and other UN organizations, and through the At 1 March
indicators is 100%. a plan can include a framework of response for national and subnational authorities. WHO provides Operational
Cluster-coordination approach. Every WHO regional office and planning guidelines to support country preparedness and response.
country office has activated a COVID-19 incident management At 30 June
structure to provide operational and technical support to national Proportion of countries and territories with a functional COVID-19 coordination mechanism (target: 100%)
governments in all aspects of readiness and response, including
45% 92%
Functional in this context means that the mechanism has the key components outlined in the Framework for a Public Health Emergency
Operations Centre, including plans/procedures, physical infrastructure, information systems and standards, and human resources.
European region
The WHO Regional Office for Europe activated its Incident Management Support South-East Asia region
Team (IMST) in accordance with WHO’s Emergency Response Framework (ERF)
on 23 January 2020, to respond to the increased risk assessed at the global level. In early January, the Regional Office set up the Regional Incident Management Support Team (IMST) to
Through the WHE Hubs and Country Office teams, the WHO Regional Office for cover all critical functions in line with WHO’s Emergency Response Framework, and communicate with
Europe is providing direct support to countries in coordination with UN Country countries for effective coordination. Technical experts from all departments within the Region Office were
Teams (UNCTs) and operational partners. The Regional IMST has remained involved in the IMST to ensure guidance was provided to countries across all pillars. The Regional Office
agile to meet different country needs, and organized itself around several key has provided technical guidance and support to the WHO country offices and the ministries of health
response pillars, with public health and health systems readiness at the centre. through virtual one-to-one meetings having their preparedness and response capacities assessed and
Capturing information from countries has been supplemented by the COVID-19 identifying the gaps. The Incident Management System at each country level was activated. Regular IMST
Health System Response Monitor (HSRM)—a new online platform providing meetings were convened to monitor the evolving situation and effectively and efficiently guide WHO’s
countries and stakeholders in the WHO European Region with evidence of how response in the Region. With many regional offices of UN agencies and partners being located in Bangkok,
national health systems are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, Thailand, a liaison mechanism with support from WHO Country Office for Thailand was establish to
a Special Projects Group (SPG) was established within the regional IMST, to represent WHO at the ad hoc Working Group for the COVID-19 response. The Regional office also regularly
work on specific topics related to COVID-19 (e.g. vulnerable populations, vaccine engages in deep-dive calls with WCOs to discuss in-depth epidemiological analysis, transmission scenarios
deployment, research and development) and laying the ground for medium-term and strategic priorities across the nine pillars.
strategic interventions.

Region of the Americas

The first case of COVID-19 in the Americas was confirmed in the USA on 20
January 2020, followed by Brazil on 26 February 2020. Since then, COVID-19 Western Pacific region
has spread to all 54 countries and territories in the Americas, which is currently
WHO together with humanitarian and development partners
considered one of the globe’s major epicenters. PAHO/WHO activated regional
have established a joint Incident Management Team (IMT)
and country incident management system teams to provide direct emergency
to support COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts in
planning and response support to Ministries of Health and other national African region
the Pacific. This coordination mechanism has successfully
authorities for surveillance, laboratory capacity, support health care services, Emergency partner coordination meetings convened in leveraged partners’ capacities and resources, and continues
infection prevention control, clinical management and risk communication. By February in Nairobi and Dakar triggered the development of to coordinate their actions to ensure that effective support is
the end of April, 32 of 35 countries had COVID-19 preparedness and response a joint regional partners’ preparedness and response plan provided to national authorities and affected populations. Since
plans and the Region of the Americas maintained the leadership position in use covering all countries in the WHO African region. Priority actions January 2020, the joint IMT has developed and is implementing
of the COVID-19 Partners Platform, with 90% of countries engaging and 86% of by interventional pillar have been agreed, and a coordination a Pacific Action Plan for COVID-19 preparedness and response
countries using the Platform. mechanism has been fully operationalized, with coordination based on the nine pillars of the WHO Operational Planning
hubs established by WHO in both Dakar and Nairobi in March Guidelines to Support Country Preparedness and Response.
2020. At the level of the Regional Office in Brazzaville, WHO’s In May 2020, the joint IMT endorsed the Phase 2 Health Sector
Eastern Mediterranean region
leadership and coordination role is ensured by means of Support Plan, signalling a shift in the operational support model
Multidisciplinary technical teams from WHO, GOARN partners and other weekly coordination meetings with health partners, including for the Pacific to containment and mitigation. Recognizing the
experts were deployed to Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, The State of Kuwait, Emergency Medical Teams and the African Partner Outbreak importance of a multi-sectoral and all-of-society approach to
Iraq, The Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan to support and assess Alliance (APORA) and the deans of African university medical the COVID-19 response, the joint IMT collaborates closely
ongoing COVID-19 readiness and response efforts. The missions improved faculties. In addition, bi-weekly regional coordination meetings with health sector partners, as well as with partners from
understanding of the current situation; reviewed ongoing response activities; are organized with key donor stakeholders. National Action other clusters through the Pacific Humanitarian Team regional
provided on-site technical support as needed; and identified strengths and Plans using the operational planning guidelines provided in cluster system. With support from OCHA, all Pacific clusters
gaps to guide response priorities. WHO experts continue to work closely with line with the SPRP have been finalized, technical guidance are now operational in support of COVID-19 preparedness
national emergency incident management systems, and in some countries disseminated and tailored to the Member States, and existing and response. Through regular coordination, the IMT has
serving as WHO focal point/Incident Managers for the response. capacities and critical gaps at the country level have been enabled rapid action in the Pacific, with Pacific Island Countries
re-assessed and mapped to allow for targeted response and and areas (PICs) supported to strengthen their COVID-19
support. preparedness and response.

25 26
COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
Risk communication and community and influencers to promote scientific and public health messages
will be a key determinant of the effectiveness of the response. Monitoring progress
engagement
Building the capacity of national, regional, and local stakeholders Proportion of countries and territories that have communicated COVID-19 prevention and preparedness
Slowing the transmission of COVID‑19 and protecting is essential to establish authority and trust. The role women play messages to the population (target: 100%)
communities will require the participation of every member in communities needs to be harnessed in community mobilization
of at-risk and affected communities to prevent infection and efforts. Participatory community engagement interventions should
transmission. This requires everyone adopting individual include accurate information on risks, what is still unknown, what 43% 99%
protection measures such as washing hands, avoiding touching is being done to find answers, what actions are being taken by Prevention messages include actions for individuals to protect themselves, such as hand hygiene.
their face, practicing good respiratory etiquette, individual level health authorities, and what actions people can take to protect
distancing and cooperating with physical distancing measures themselves. WHO has tracked an improvement from 1 March
and movement restrictions when called on to do so. It is therefore to 30 June in the proportion of countries and territories that Proportion of countries and territories that have a COVID-19 community engagement plan (target: 100%)
essential that international, national, and local authorities engage have communicated COVID-19 prevention and preparedness
through participatory two-way communication efforts proactively, messages to the population, which rose to 99%. The proportion 19% 85%
regularly, transparently and unambiguously with all affected and of countries and territories that have a community engagement
at-risk populations. plan rose from 19% to 85% over the same period. Examples of A community engagement plan should include at least four of

Understanding knowledge, behaviours, perceptions, and specific targeted WHO support for countries within each region the six recommended actions outlined in the SPRP. At 1 March
identifying the right channels and community-based networks are given below.
At 30 June
European region
Western Pacific region
Understanding public levels of trust, people’s perceptions of risk, and the barriers they may face in
following recommended actions is critical to the effectiveness and success of pandemic response Working with partners such as the IFRC and its national societies and other UN
measures. WHO/Europe has leveraged innovative solutions for risk communication and community agencies allows WHO to conduct thorough assessments of the general public’s
engagement (RCCE) to support countries. On 03 April 2020, WHO/Europe launched a supplement to understanding of COVID-19. This knowledge has been successfully leveraged
the broader RCCE strategy in the context of COVID-19, focused on RCCE in the Transition Phase for to strategically adapt risk communications messages and products based on the
National Health Authorities. This template, meant to be tailored to the country context, covers the role current needs of the population. A regional risk communications plan has also been
of RCCE and key actions needed to support countries as they adjust public health and social measures developed, and includes products and materials that can be adapted for country
and ensure that individuals adopt protective behaviours which contribute to the control of the COVID-19 use. For example, in Lao PDR, social media, and in particular Facebook, is the
pandemic nationally and globally. So far, 17 of 25 priority countries have finalized or are developing a most important source of news and information for most Lao people. WHO’s key
RCCE strategy. platform for reaching people on the COVID-19 response is the Facebook page of
the Ministry of Health’s Centre for Communication and Education for Health (CCEH).
This has gone from having about 3000 followers at the end of 2019 to nearly 174 000
as of 26 June. Webcasts by the CCEH team, with technical support on content
Region of the Americas from WHO, typically get between 25 000 and 100 000 views. In April, at the height
of the first COVID-19 outbreak, over 300 000 tuned in and webcasts took place
In order to address the need for clear, consistent, and authoritative information, the
daily. Additionally, short messages on COVID-19 and how individuals can protect
region has created a detailed risk communication package for healthcare facilities,
themselves are sent regularly to 3 million mobile phone users across the country.
guidelines for communicating about COVID-19 for leaders, advice for journalists, and a
comprehensive planning template for risk communication and community engagement.
In addition, the regional website has a range of resources to share through social
media. PAHO’s social media platforms are being used to reach targeted audiences South-East Asia region
through media briefings, “Ask the Expert” sessions, and media cards. PAHO has also
collaborated with Colombian singer Salomón Beda in an agreement under which the The Regional Office developed a Regional Risk Communication Strategy
artist donates the royalties of his musical theme “Pa’alante” to activities that PAHO is that met the needs of Member States. In addition, an Interagency Asia-
implementing to combat COVID-19. Artists from Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Pacific Risk Communication and Community Engagement Working Group
Ecuador, Venezuela, Chile, Puerto Rico, and the United States joined forces to record was set up to develop guidelines specific to vulnerable populations.
a new version of the song under an initiative called #Volveranlosabrazos (The hugs WHO is a partner in the Working Group’s Asia-Pacific-wide perception
will return). The artists will also collaborate in spreading information about the disease survey. For awareness, a “whole-of-society” approach was followed,
among their followers. PAHO has supported national risk communicators in Colombia, with a “It’s On Us to Win the Fight Against #COVID19” campaign. Over
Peru and Suriname to make available COVID-19 key messages in indigenous 200 animated images (e.g. gif and video formats) in 11 languages, and
languages. infographics for key audiences, have been developed and disseminated.

Eastern Mediterranean region African region

At the regional level, an Interagency Risk Communication and Community Engagement working group WHO is helping local authorities across the region craft radio messaging and TV spots
consisting of 12 partners was established to provide strategic guidance to countries, including on safe to inform the public about the risks of COVID-19 and what measures should be taken.
Ramadan practices in the context of COVID-19. Mapping of national risk communication plans was completed The Organization is also helping to counter disinformation and is guiding countries on
and produced a rapid training module on RCCE for WHO communications officers. Twelve countries have also setting up call centers to ensure the public is informed. The Regional Office website
been identified for ongoing technical support in a joint collaboration with UNICEF. EMRO also worked with the has a wide range of online resources for use with social media, including social media
Islamic Advisory Group (IAG) and a WHO collaborating centre in Saudi Arabia on the development of faith- cards for Facebook and Twitter, and YouTube, with simple, clear messages on how
based messaging. The Regional Director also contacted the Grand Imam of Al Azhar and Executive Committee individuals can protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
of Islamic Advisory Group to support the COVID-19 response.

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
Surveillance, rapid-response teams and case and communities must fundamentally increase their capacity to Monitoring progress
investigation, and national laboratories identify suspected cases of COVID‑19 in the general population
quickly based on the onset of signs or symptoms. WHO has Proportion of countries and territories that have access to laboratory testing capacity (target: 100%)
Stopping the spread of COVID‑19 requires finding and testing worked closely with national authorities to ensure that all countries
all suspected cases so that confirmed cases are promptly have access to diagnostic testing as part of surveillance strategies 85% 99%
and effectively isolated and receive appropriate care, and the based on WHO guidance. By the end of June, 99% of countries
close contacts of all confirmed cases are rapidly identified so and territories had the ability to conduct COVID-19 testing, or had Laboratory testing capacity is defined as either in-country laboratory testing capacity, or access to international
that they can be quarantined and medically monitored for the established access to an international laboratory within 72 hours. laboratories that can provide results within 72 hours. At 1 March
14‑day incubation period of the virus. To achieve this, countries The target for this indicator is 100%.
European region At 30 June
WHO works closely with the ECDC, using its existing shared networks on surveillance to engage all European Member States in
sharing surveillance strategies, challenges, and experiences with specific investigations (e.g. schools, food processing facilities).
Direct technical support has also been provided to a total of 10 countries within the Region on conducting sero-
epidemiology surveys. On contact tracing, WHO is working to support countries across several areas, including sharing country-
specific models across the region, calculating workforce requirements, providing guidance on digital contact tracing, and engaging Western Pacific region
communities. WHO has established five regional reference laboratories to support international testing where countries WHO and the joint IMT are working to ensure all Pacific Island Countries
have limited capacity. WHO is providing direct remote and in-country support across the region, including to Tajikistan, where (PICs) have a basic package of supplies and appropriate guidance for
capacities are being assessed and strengthened in five laboratories in Dushanbe, and other regional labs. Remote country support specimen collection, transport, packaging and shipping. Together, they
has been scaled up through various training activities, country calls, consultations with national partners and weekly laboratory have facilitated testing capabilities for COVID-19 being established
workshops. Laboratory testing kits and supplies have been distributed to 32 countries in the region. WHO has enhanced in 14 PICs using RT-PCR and GeneXpert testing platforms. This is in
countries’ testing capacity through coordination of quality assurance for the detection of COVID-19. addition to support provided to map referral pathways and requirements for
sample collection, transport and testing with five laboratories in the region.
In addition, WHO has conducted a series of trainings on Go.Data in Viet
Region of the Americas Nam (see above) with support from GOARN partners.
At the outset of the outbreak in the subregion of Eastern Caribbean, PAHO/WHO was the only
international partner able to provide COVID-19 test kits to the islands. This was instrumental South-East Asia region
in preparing the islands to quickly test potential cases and thus minimize the spread of the
virus. Thanks to PAHO/WHO support, technicians in all ten islands were trained in COVID-19 In early February the Regional Office provided potential transmission
diagnostics in February, strengthening their capacity to detect COVID-19. scenarios and guidance to develop national standard operating procedures
for early detection and contact tracing using Go.Data. A Regional
Laboratory capacities within the region were strengthened to address the COVID-19 Surveillance Strategy, complementing the WHO global surveillance
pandemic. At the outset of the outbreak, and before travel restrictions were implemented, guidance, was provided to Member States. Internal risk assessments
PAHO/WHO deployed experts to nine countries to implement laboratory strengthening and (country profiles) have been conducted to monitor transmission dynamics
training. The remaining countries participated in two subregional trainings and subsequently and epidemic trends and to guide the response. An online case reporting
virtual sessions. By mid-February, capacity for molecular SARS-CoV-2 testing was form had been developed and South-East Asia regional dashboard was
successfully implemented in all 35 Member States. This, coupled with the primers, probes made available to the public. Technical support was further strengthened
and approximately 4.9 million PCR kits distributed in the region has enhanced the laboratories’ by a series of country-level and regional technical webinars, involving the
capacities for early detection. country offices and the ministries of health and other relevant departments.
In addition, PAHO/WHO is currently implementing its “COVID-19 Genomic Surveillance Regional In early February, two global reference laboratories were established
Network Project”, whereby 16 countries are being supported to generate sequences and in the Region, and testing capacity was enhanced for the Region’s
report more timely data to GISAID. Previously only three countries (Chile, Brazil, Mexico) had 11 Member States in March. Ten of the 11 countries in the Region have
been uploading sequences. To date, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, expressed their willingness to participate in the global External Quality
Jamaica, Peru, Panama, the United States of America, and Uruguay have also begun to upload Assurance Programme (EQAP) for national laboratories coordinated by
sequences. Surveillance was further enhanced with the launch of the COVID-19 Information WHO. With the first shipment of EQAP panels, six Member States have
System for the Region of the Americas, produced through collaboration with ESRI. This real-time successfully received and completed the EQAP.
information has been crucial in supporting countries with their preparation and response.
African region

Eastern Mediterranean region priority countries in the region received these laboratory supplies on time. Since the start of the outbreak WHO has been supporting African governments with early detection
of COVID-19 by delivering one million test kits. An additional two million are under preparation to
Surveillance activities have been enhanced for most EMR countries. As a result, as of In addition, EMRO enhanced countries’ testing capacity through training and the send to countries, and WHO is also supporting the training of laboratory workers. By late June, all 47
mid-April, 77% of EMR countries now have COVID-19 event-based surveillance. coordination of the WHO external quality assessment programme (EQAP) for the countries in the WHO African region had capacity to conduct molecular testing for COVID-19.
All 22 countries of the region have trained multidisciplinary rapid response detection of COVID-19. All countries have the capacity to test COVID-19 virus by One-on-one technical support has been provided to almost every country in the region, and a small
teams, and all countries have activated and deployed rapid-response teams to support polymerase chain reaction (PCR); the remaining two countries are connected to subset of countries (Botswana, Chad, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Rwanda,
case management and provided technical training, and, where relevant, equipped to international referral networks. EMRO continues to support the COVID-19 laboratory Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania and Zimbabwe) have benefited from having onsite technical support
investigate suspected cases in line with protocols. network with PCR troubleshooting, and led on a number of regional initiatives before travel restrictions were put in place. Laboratory capacity is rapidly being built in countries at
including the shipment of specimens of COVID -19 for sequencing and further a sub-national level, mobilizing already existing platforms that are available for testing and providing
Efforts have been accelerated across the region to prepare laboratories and establish
analysis, the provision of technical assistance to the regional COVID-19 lab network additional platforms and building human resource capacity where needed. Over the coming weeks over
and sustain laboratory confirmatory capacity, including the organization of a remote
on the assessment of their performance and quality of the test(s) donated by other 52 laboratories from 43 countries in the region have received the first round of the EQA material
training covering testing for COVID-19, including molecular testing, serology, and rapid
organizations, and ensured coordination with laboratories in Geneva and France to to ensure that quality data is generated at the national and regional levels. Surge procurement and
diagnostic tests, facilitated by EMRO, for the EMR COVID-19 Laboratory Network
provide support to the occupied Palestinian territory, Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon distribution of essential reagents and supplies have been initiated to provide urgently needed critical
and attended by 45 participants from 18 countries. Adequate test kits and other
and The Syrian Arab Republic. items to countries for testing for COVID-19, and to build capacity in countries.
essential lab consumables were procured and prepositioned in Dubai, and most of the

29 30
COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
 WHO provides a weekly donor briefing to groups of more than reference laboratories in the countries are providing support for
50 donors and partners, and has now met with ambassadors COVID-19 testing, and also training laboratory technicians at
from over 25 different countries to brief them on the situation new testing sites.
and the country’s needs. To leverage the collective efforts
of the UN, WHO leads a weekly Crisis Management Team With US$1.4 million funding from GAVI, the vaccine alliance,
meeting comprising of the UN Resident Coordinator and key WHO has established a dedicated Infection Prevention and
UN Agencies supporting the response. Control (IPC) team and undertaken assessment of 200 priority
hospital facilities to advise them on improvement measures in
As the key technical partner, WHO has helped to establish readiness for COVID-19. Procurement of supplies to enhance
and continues to participate in all technical working groups in IPC is also underway, and to date more than 1500 Health
the country, tackling all the key issues, including isolation of Workers have undertaken WHO’s virtual IPC training.
confirmed cases, case management, testing. To ensure the
ready adaptation of global guidance to the national situation To increase testing capacity, WHO procured and distributed
and context, WHO has also assembled a Think Tank of 15 PCR machines for point of care testing, and has provided
diaspora and locally based Pakistani public health experts to technical assistance to leverage the country’s impressive
regularly meet and advise the Government and partners on tuberculosis treatment infrastructure across the country to
various aspects of the response. A mission of WHO experts enhance testing by a further 2000 tests per day. Tuberculosis
from the Eastern Mediterranean region travelled to the country centres are being equipped with N95 masks and other PPE
to conduct an assessment and provide recommendations, and to protect frontline workers. Centres are using couriers to
continue to provide daily technical back-up to WHO’s country deliver 3-months’ supply of medicines to patients to ensure
office staff. that the country’s already vulnerable and immunosuppressed
tuberculosis and HIV patients are protected.
WHO has also been active at the operational level, and was
initially the sole provider of personal protective equipment WHO is supporting Pakistan to maintain essential services,
in the early stages of the outbreak. WHO also provided and has developed and disseminated guidance and
thermo-guns for screening at points of entry, including all recommendations for different clinical settings, supported
major airports, and set up COVID-19 information desks in the establishment of toll-free numbers, and bolstered
three major airports. WHO has also leveraged the existing ambulance services. Under the SPRP, WHO is working with
polio surveillance network. The polio team has been actively the government to innovate and harness technology to reach
supporting disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, people with essential services during this time – for instance,
Credit: WHO Credit: WHO contact tracing and awareness raising campaigns. Polio telemedicine is being introduced in 100 hospitals.

Clockwise from opposite: Dr M Zeeshan,

frontline health worker, and Dr Taimoor
In Focus:  From pillar to pillar in Pakistan Hafiz Janjua, COVID-19 Surveillance
Officer from the Pakistan Department
of Health,, collect samples and take
Since early January, WHO has been working closely with Based on these predictions, the Pakistan Preparedness a detailed history of a patient with
the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and and Response plan was developed by the government with confirmed COVID19 and his close
Coordination (MNHSR&C) and all line ministries in Pakistan technical support from WHO. The total cost of the plan is contacts in Islamabad. WHO regional
at both federal and regional level to contain and mitigate the US$595 million. The World Bank and the Asian Development and country office staff have provided
technical support, laboratory equipment,
impacts of COVID-19 outbreak in the country. The response Bank have each provided US$200 million, and other donors essential supplies of PPE, and operational
to COVID-19 started before the first case was detected, with have pledged to contribute. On 23 April, the WHO Director- assitance at points of entry.
WHO briefing Government officials, the donor community and General attended the official launching of the country’s
partners, and provided technical guidance on preparedness preparedness and response plan.
and response to COVID-19.
To support the coordination of the national response and
Pakistan, with a population of over 221 million, is the 5th most operationalization of the national plan, WHO supported the
populous country in the world. The outbreak of COVID-19 establishment of an operational cell, chaired by the Ministry
presents a potentially devastating threat. To call attention to of Health, in January, and ensured a Strategic Health
this threat WHO supported some of the earliest modelling Operations Centre was set up and maintained to monitor the
of possible COVID-19 transmission in the country. In situation across all provinces and provide rapid support. More
collaboration with the National Health Services Academy and recently, WHO has provided equipment and supported the
the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, WHO establishment of a Situation Room at the Ministry of National
produced predictions for the country’s potential case load. Health Services Regulation and Coordination. This will serve
As of 30 June the virus has spread throughout the country, as a platform for acquiring online data, which will help ensure
with more than 200 000 confirmed cases and more than 5000 a robust response to COVID-19 cases.
deaths. Over 150 districts are affected. The two hardest hit
provinces are Punjab and Sindh. To enhance the coordination of efforts among the large
number of international partners and donors in Pakistan, Credit: WHO

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
Infection prevention and control, case strategies, physical distancing and movement restrictions, must
be mitigated in order to minimize the negative health impacts of Monitoring progress
management, and continuity of essential health
COVID‑19 on individuals who depend on essential, non‑COVID‑19- Proportion of countries and territories that have a COVID-19 clinical referral system (target: 100%)
services related services. WHO is working across regions to strengthen
Even very robust health systems can be rapidly overwhelmed and capacity for infection prevention and control, guide and support
optimum case management, and help authorities to maintain
37% 75%
compromised by an explosive COVID‑19 outbreak. In addition to
the direct mortality caused by COVID‑19, response at the national essential health services. WHO documented an increase from 37%
A clinical referral system should outline how patients need to be managed and streamlined
and subnational level must also address the risks of indirect to 75% from March to the end of June in the proportion of countries
with COVID-19 clinical referral systems. The target for this indicator
by the health care system (e.g. first points of contact for individuals, fever clinics, designated At 1 March
mortality posed by the possible interruption of essential health referral facilities, hotlines etc. as relevant in the national context).
and social services. The acute burden that COVID‑19 places on is 100%.
health systems, combined with the disruptive effects of shielding At 30 June

African region
In addition to repurposing more than 900 WHO staff at country and regional levels to support the COVID-19
response, more than 100 international staff were deployed to 27 priority countries in the Region, to
improve readiness capacities. Funds were also provided to 13 priority countries to initiate activities to fill critical
European region gaps in response capacity.

As of 24 June, WHO EURO has delivered 77 national and regional virtual trainings and webinars to in Kenya, AFRO deployed four experts (coordinator, case manager, Infection Prevention and Control lead and
over 11 189 healthcare workers from across the Region and a total of 216 virtual clinical technical support logistician) to support the Ministry of Health in Kenya to develop a preparedness plan for COVID-19 and initiate
missions delivering the most updated evidence on clinical care for patients from detection to recovery. implementation of preparedness and readiness capacities. At the onset of the pandemic Kenya had only six
In Italy, WHO has worked to pilot a clinical surveillance system to better understand the sequalae of beds in the highly infectious disease treatment units (HIDTU) in Kenyatta National hospital. PPE was limited,
COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital. and staff were not trained on COVID-19 case management and IPC. The Mbagathi hospital maternity and
newborn unit was repurposed as a COVID-19 treatment facility, and WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of
WHO has supported countries in maintaining essential health services, using tools to assist health planners Health assessed the facility in terms of IPC and case management capacity. With support from the logistics
across the WHO European Region to both scale down hospitals and plan for a surge in COVID-19 patients pillar and funds donated by the office of the President, Ministries of Health and Finance, WHO and donor
needing acute and intensive care in hospitals. The Health Workforce Estimator assists countries in partners, the 120-bed facility was made ready on 6 March 2020. In addition, together with the Ministry of Health
estimating the numbers of health workers needed based on projected numbers of moderate, severe and teams on Case management and IPC, WHO provided five days of training of trainers for a total of 32 high-level
critical patients per day. This understanding of the potential workload from COVID-19 also allows countries medical personnel in critical care management for COVID-19. The objective was for these high-level personnel
to anticipate and better address the mental health-care needs of health workers. The Adaptt Surge Planning to identify isolation centres in each of their counties and, based on best IPC standards, to replicate these
Support Tool, intended for policy-makers and senior planners, focuses on surge planning. It helps users trainings on case management and IPC.
to estimate the number of beds required for moderate, severe and critical care, the dates of predicted bed
shortages and the detailed human resources needed. In total in the African region, more than 3000 participants from ministries of health, provincial and district
hospitals, and private medical practices from 172 locations in 58 countries have been trained in COVID-19
WHO has developed several key guidance documents including policy guidance on preventing and clinical characterization, antimicrobial therapy, triage and hospitalization, treatment of severely ill patients, and
managing the COVID-19 pandemic across long-term care services, a hospital recovery checklist for the criteria and process for the discharge and management of convalescent patients.
countries that have a decrease in cases and hospitals which are re-opening essential services.
WHO continues to support the implementation of the REACT-C19 project in Azerbaijan. Using the WHO South-East Asia region
Hospital Readiness Checklist, a team of doctors have assessed select capacities in hospitals, developing
joint action plans with hospital management and initiating activities to address them. As part of the second The Regional Office arranged regular updates on the latest IPC guidance
phase of implementation, more than 400 healthcare workers in hospitals attended hands-on training to Member States. Training materials/opportunities were provided
activities delivered by REACT-C19 teams. In Italy, WHO supported 11 hospitals in the design and and translation of OpenWHO courses on infection prevention and
set-up of COVID-19 facilities. The support is now being directed towards repurposing facilities for regular control into local languages of the Region was coordinated. Country-
clinical service provision while maintaining high level of readiness for COVID-19 management activities specific technical advice sessions for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives,
during the post-acute phase. Nepal, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste were also provided. The areas
supported were rational use of personal protective equipment (PPE),
its local manufacturing and quality certification, hospital surge planning,
isolation facility management, and disinfectants.
Region of the Americas
PAHO/WHO’s ongoing technical cooperation to integrate climate change and disaster risk reduction considerations Eastern Mediterranean region
in the health sector of selected countries has helped to maintain crucial health services, with many of the facilities
in the Eastern Caribbean previously retrofitted as part of the Smart Hospitals Project transformed into respiratory EMRO has conducted four virtual trainings for IPC in the context of COVID-19, attended by 35 healthcare workers in Afghanistan, 40
clinics or testing points. PAHO/WHO developed tools to guide countries in assessing hospital readiness to manage IPC focal points in Iraq; 75 clinicians and critical care physicians in Morocco and 50 clinicians, including critical care physicians
COVID-19 cases, verifying that prehospital emergency medical service systems are in place, and that national and infectious disease physicians in Pakistan. In addition, a training of trainers was rolled out for 246 medical staff on IPC and case
governments consider all necessary aspects for planning their response to the pandemic. As of 31 May, over 500 management from Kabul and 13 high-risk provinces (Afghanistan); 383 nurses from across 290 hospitals (Lebanon); 813 healthcare
hospitals in 15 countries were using the Hospital Readiness Checklist. In the early stages of the pandemic, providers in Somalia; and 60 ambulance drivers and ambulance personnel in Sudan. For case management, 42 infectious disease
and in anticipation of possible border closures, PAHO/WHO deployed 25 technical experts to 13 countries and ICU clinicians in Pakistan were trained to care for patients with severe and critical COVID-19. In addition, 25 participants from 16
between February and March 2020 to provide critical capacity in areas from early detection to laboratory diagnostics countries were trained in the use of a supply-management tool to ensure an adequate stock of oxygen, ventilators, and other key items.
and health system assessments. Since then, PAHO/WHO has delivered more than 100 regional and national virtual EMRO supported countries to ensure continuity of essential mental health services, especially for childhood immunizations, antenatal
trainings and webinars to over 20 000 health professionals from across the Americas on estimating needs for PPE care, pre-existing conditions and crisis situations. Continuity of care for persons using mental health services was maintained through
and hospital and ICU beds, identifying alternative medical care sites given overburdened health systems, molecular dedicated helplines and call centres in Afghanistan, Egypt and Morocco, the development and dissemination of awareness raising
diagnostics for COVID-19, surveillance, and other essential areas. materials in Afghanistan, Jordan and Morocco, and will be strengthened through plans for referral pathways that will include an online
platform and ongoing technical support to partners.

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
Operations support and logistics
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented spike Shipped (as at 30 June) In Focus:  Solidarity flights
in demand for personal protective equipment. In addition, As border closures and internal travel restrictions remain The deliveries of PPE are absolutely crucial, as healthcare
the laboratory reagents required for testing and the swabs
needed for sampling are in short supply. At the same time,
3 029 650 Surgical masks in place in many countries in Africa, the availability of PPE
has become a major challenge in many countries. WHO
workers are often disproportionately affected by infectious
disease outbreaks. There is some evidence that COVID-19
commercial transportation routes have almost completely shut continues to work closely with WFP, the African Union is threatening health workers in Africa. By 26 June 2020,
down. This has left many countries unable to procure essential 128 875 N95 masks (AU), and the governments of Ethiopia and the United Arab 5984 health workers from 38 countries had been infected,
items on the open market, and therefore unable to access Emirates to deliver much-needed medical equipment to with South Africa having 35% (2084) of all the cases.
potentially life-saving equipment (PPE). WHO, working with
key procurement and logistics partners, has provided a lifeline,
2 040 900 Gloves countries in Africa to support the response to COVID-19. Additionally, Nigeria (17%; 987), Ghana (6%; 351) and
In collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control Cameroon (5%; 325) have recorded the highest proportion
shipping many millions of items of PPE to 111 countries, and and Prevention (Africa CDC), 25 WFP aviation and of health worker infections. In countries with weak health
over 1.5 million laboratory testing kits to over 132 Member 203 379 Gowns logistics staff work around the clock to ensure that medical systems and comparatively smaller numbers of health
States. But that is just the beginning. Through the new equipment gets where it is most needed. Thus far, WHO workers, the consequences of health workers succumbing
COVID-19 Supply Chain System, WHO and partners have a
further 30 million laboratory diagnostic kits in the pipeline,
36 447 Goggles has provided enough PPE to safely treat 30 000 patients to COVID-19 are extremely serious. In Cameroon, contact
with suspected COVID-19. tracing efforts were compromised by the lack of PPE.
along with over 225 million items of crucial PPE.
102 106 Face shields The Solidarity Flights have further delivered materials (PPE,
laboratory supplies and respirators provided by the Jack Ma
European region 1.5 million lab diagnostic kits foundation) to all countries on the continent.
Shipments made to 17
countries in the region
Surgical masks: 121 100
In Focus:  Getting supplies to
N95 masks: 7250
South-East Asia region Small Island Developing States
Gloves: 249 100
Shipments made to 11
Gowns: 24 648 As cases began to multiply in the Eastern Caribbean sub-
countries in the region
region, PAHO’s technical cooperation supported ten countries
Goggles: 4140 Surgical masks: 482 000 to intensify their preparedness efforts to test, identify, isolate
and care for COVID-19 patients. However, the response in the
Face shield: 7000 N95 masks: 43 065
Eastern Caribbean faced an added complexity, related to their
Gloves: 414 500 characteristics being Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Gowns: 26 800
Region of the Americas PAHO/WHO’s technical cooperation with the Eastern Caribbean
Goggles: 10 150 is long established and formed an integral part of the response.
Shipments made to six Even before there was a confirmed case in any of the ten
countries in the region Face shield: 15 336
islands, the PAHO Country Office for Barbados and the Eastern
Surgical masks: 88 000 Caribbean was at work through its Incident Management System,
Western Pacific region coordinating the provision of PPEs and lab supplies, and training
N95 masks: 2650 Shipments made to 20 of national counterparts in contact tracing and IPC measures. At
Gloves: 88 000 countries in the region the outset of the outbreak in the subregion, PAHO/WHO was the
only international partner able to provide test kits to the islands.
Gowns: 14 020 Surgical masks: 314 550
Goggles: 1500 N95 masks: 15 365 As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, PAHO/WHO’s intervention
within the framework of the Caribbean Comprehensive Disaster
Face shield: 7900 Gloves: 199 000 Management Coordination Mechanism made a significant
African region
Gowns: 10 010 impact. PAHO collaborated with the Regional Security System
Shipments made to 40 (RSS), a long-standing partner, responsible for the defence
countries in the region Goggles: 6107 and security of the eastern Caribbean region and the Barbados
Eastern Mediterranean region
Face shield: 7200 Defense Force (BDF) Level I WHO certified Emergency Medical
Shipments made to 17 countries Surgical masks: 1 439 750
team, to distribute the criical supplies, even amidst the border
in the region N95 masks: 24 200 closures. In this instance, PAHO procured the needed supplies
and coordinated the logistics with the operational support of the
Surgical masks: 484 250 Gloves: 386 300
BDF. Delivery was undertaken by RSS, through various weekly
N95 masks: 36 345 Gowns: 46 779 earmarked flights within 48 hours of PAHO/WHO’s receipt of the
supplies.
Gloves: 704 000 Goggles: 6930
Gowns: 81 122 Face shield: 34 510
Goggles: 7620
Face shield: 26 760

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
Accelerating priority research and term and longer term research priorities based on current
Box 2  Progress against Gobal Research Roadmap
knowledge gaps; progress against those priorities has come
innovation at a rapid pace (Box 2).
Transmission • Researched efficacy and safety of
decontamination and re-use methods for masks and
The Global Research Roadmap, and an accompanying • WHO laboratory and biosafety guidance,
A Global Research Roadmap and call to action respirators.
framework for coordinated investment, enables funders and and diganostic strategy for testing in resource-
There are no vaccines against COVID-19, no curative researchers to prioritize investment and research options for constrained settings • Developed protocol for case–control study to
treatments, and a need for diagnostic tests that can produce COVID-19, and ensures that research adheres to three core assess risk factors for COVID-19 in health workers.
rapid, accurate results in a variety of different settings at principles: • Landscape analysis of diagnostic assays in
scale. To meet these extraordinary challenges, the world development/available
Therapeutics
required an emergency mechanism to coordinate global • Speed: to act fast, shorten the development timeline • Studies of viral shedding during acute infection
research and development efforts by a diverse range of (including collapsing overlapping phases of development), be • Landscape analysis of therapeutics
stakeholders, from academics and industry to national bold in trying new approaches. Human–animal interface • Treatment master protocol developed
governments. On 11–12 February 2020, WHO convened the
Global Research Forum, engaging a broad group of policy • Scale: by prioritizing the most promising technologies • Investigaiton of replication and excretion of • Solidarity trial launched and expanded.
makers, researchers, public health experts, non‑governmental and innovations that can rapidly be brought to scale for the COVID-19 in fur farms in China: negative result. • Agreements finalized with five manufacturers of
organizations, funders, and the private sector. Crucially, the greatest impact, by enlisting the support of all manufacturers medicines included in the Solidarity trial
• Investigaiton of replication and excretion of
forum engaged researchers from affected countries to set globally, and by implementing innovative approaches to fast- COVID-19 from pets in contact with human
priorities that respond to country needs, and that reduce track licensing and the expansion of production capacity.
barriers and maximize opportunities for research at national
cases: ongoing Vaccines
level. • Access: by focusing on research and development that puts • Investigation of susceptibility of pets and • Landscape analysis of vaccine candidates
access at the core of the investment effort, and therefore livestock: ongoing
Using the WHO R&D Blueprint as its basis, the Forum • Master protocol developed for phase 2b/3 trials
developed an initial COVID-19 Global Research Roadmap. ensuring affordable and equitable access to those most at
The roadmap unites the global community around a common risk. Epidemiology • Target product profile produced for COVID-19
research agenda, with a common ambition to accelerate vaccines
On 24 April, commitment to these principles was set in stone • Core protocols developed for four early
equitable access to affordable and effective medical with the announcement of the Access to COVID-19 Tools sero-epi investigations and one environmental
countermeasures. The Roadmap identified immediate, mid- Accelerator: the ACT Accelerator. investigation, under the Unity study umbrella Ethics
• Epidemiological studies using one or several of • Key ethical concepts paper published
the core Unity protocols have been started in 31 • Policy briefs produced on ethics of research
countries for COVID-19; ethics of resource allocation and
equitable access; ethics of restrictive measures
Clinical management
Social sciences
• Clinical management protocol developed.
• Review of pyschosocial impacts of COVID-19
• Protocols developed to assess transmission
through aerosol/high-flow oxygen • Review and key lessons of health protection
policies
• Global anonymized clinical data platform
developed for rapid collection of relevant clinical • Research into impacts of quarantine on
data contraception, HIV treatment access, delivery
modes and quality of SRH care
Health workers and infection • Research protocol development and research
prevention and control implementation on health care worker perceptions
of infection prevention and control procedures
• Systematic reviews of evidence informing IPC
guidance for the COVID-19 response, such • Toolbox on Good Participatory Practice for
as the effectiveness of medical masks versus COVID-19 clinical trials and Working with
respirators for health worker protection; physical Community Advisory Boards for COVID-19 related
distancing; utility of universal mask use in public clinical trials
and in health care facilities. • Development of rapid reviews on the social,
• Research on optimal features and cultural, behavioural considerations on the use of
characteristics of non-medical masks, including face coverings; immunity passports; and home care
choice of fabric, number and combination of
layers, shape, and coating – this research Coordination
By the end of April 2020 informed WHO updated guidance on masks.
WHO had supplied over • Global Research Roadmap published
1.5 million laboratory
Credit: WHO diagnostic kits to 125 • Framework for coordinated investment in research
Member States. developed

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
The landmark collaborative initiative was launched at an event On 18 March, in order to fast-track this research, WHO In Focus:  International solidarity in Spain: on the front line against COVID-19
co-hosted by WHO, the President of France, the President launched Solidarity – a large international clinical trial to help
of the European Commission, and the Bill & Melinda Gates find an effective treatment for COVID-19 . Enrolling patients
Dr Vicente Estrada, a Spanish infectious disease doctor, One daunting challenge remains: if a medicine is proven
Foundation. The event was joined by the UN Secretary- in one single randomized trial will help facilitate the rapid
has dedicated his career to studying and fighting HIV. But effective, Dr Estrada is particularly worried about ensuring that
General, the AU Commission Chairperson, the G20 President, worldwide comparison of unproven treatments and overcome
when Madrid, where he lives and works, became a hotspot patients in poorer countries can access affordable treatments.
heads of state of France, South Africa, Germany, Vietnam, the risk of multiple small trials not generating the strong
for COVID-19, Dr Estrada and his colleagues had to change “If these drugs are shown to be effective, I’m concerned about
Costa Rica, Italy, Rwanda, Norway, Spain, Malaysia and the evidence needed to determine the relative effectiveness of
priorities. “This pandemic has changed my job and my the high cost,” which may not be accessible to low-income
UK (represented by the First Secretary of State), together with potential treatments.
activities, and I’m moving to cover it,” he said. “All my time at and high-income countries alike.
health leaders from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness
To begin with, the Solidarity trial aims to compare four this moment is devoted to this pandemic.”
Innovations (CEPI), GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global To that end, WHO brought leaders and partners together to
treatment options against standard care, based on evidence
Fund, UNITAID, the Wellcome Trust, the International Red Through the leadership of WHO, Dr Estrada and hundreds launch the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator,
from laboratory, animal and clinical studies. The treatments
Cross and Red Crescent Movement (IFRC), the International of other doctors around the world are now working together a global collaboration to accelerate the development,
are Remdesivir; Lopinavir/ Ritonavir; Lopinavir/Ritonavir with
Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (IFPMA), the to find an effective treatment for COVID-19 through WHO’s production, and equitable access to new COVID-19
Interferon beta-1a; and Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine.
Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers’ Network Solidarity trial. therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines. At the event, Dr
By enrolling patients in multiple countries, the Solidarity
(DCVMN), and the International Generic and Biosimilar Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
trial aims to rapidly discover whether any of the drugs slow With the Solidarity Clinical Trial, WHO has used its
Medicines Association (IGBA). Together, this broad coalition stressed: “Inequity is unacceptable – all tools to address
disease progression or improve survival. international reach and convening power to fast-track and
committed (Box 3) to work together, guided by a common COVID-19 must be available to all. In the fight against
scale up randomized clinical trials around the world to find a
goal to accelerate the development and equitable global In support of the Solidarity trial, WHO negotiated agreements COVID-19, no one should be left behind.”
treatment for COVID-19 at a rate that aims to be 80% faster
access to safe, quality, effective, and affordable COVID-19 with five manufacturers of the trial drugs that are being
than any traditional trial. By enrolling an unprecedented WHO is not only leading the global search for a treatment
diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. donated to participating countries.
number of patients in a single randomized clinical across through the Solidarity Clinical Trial, but also ensuring that
The ACT-Accelerator is organized into four pillars of By 30 June 2020, more than 5000 patients in 21 countries multiple countries, WHO is able to test four possible treatment when a treatment is found, all COVID-19 patients around the
work: diagnostics, treatment, vaccines and health system have enrolled in the Solidarity trial, and their efforts are options faster, with the aim of gaining strong evidence for a world will have access to it.
strengthening. Each pillar is vital to the overall effort and already yielding important results. At the end of June, interim potential treatment.
It is medical professionals like Dr Estrada who are on the
involves innovation and collaboration. trial data showed that, when compared with standard of
Doctors around the world, such as Dr Estrada, have now frontlines of this health crisis, not only battling the disease
care, hydroxychloroquine and Lopinavir/Ritonavir do not
Cross-cutting all of the work, and fundamental to the goals of dedicated themselves full time to the task of identifying by caring for patients, but also researching medicines and
reduce mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The
the ACT-Accelerator, is the Access and Allocation workstream a viable treatment through the Solidarity trial. Through vaccines to get ahead of the pandemic. When asked what
Solidarity trial invesitgators therefore discontinued those trial
that is led by WHO and is developing the principles, donations from drug manufacturers, WHO has been able to gives him hope amidst the crisis and keeps him going, Dr
arms with immediate effect.
framework and mechanisms needed to ensure the fair and provide potential treatment options for these clinical trials, Estrada answered unequivocally, “the solidarity of the health
equitable allocation of these tools. Overall, more than 100 countries representing all six WHO alleviating the financial and procurement responsibility of professionals and the unconditional dedication to their work.”
regions have joined or expressed an interest in joining the already overburdened hospitals. As Dr Estrada confirmed,
The launch of the initiative was also a call to action for
trial. WHO continues to support each of them to obtain ethical “We couldn’t have obtained these drugs outside a clinical
the global community and political leaders to support the
and regulatory approval for the WHO core study protocol; trial.”
landmark collaboration, and for donors to provide the
identify hospitals to participate in the trial; train hospital
necessary resources to deliver on the commitments of the
clinicians on the web-based randomization and data system;
initiative. On 4 May, donors delivered. At a pledging event co-
shipping the trial drugs as requested by each participating
convened by the European Union, Canada, France, Germany,
country.
Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Norway, Spain
and the United Kingdom, donors pledged US$8 billion to the
Coronavirus Global Response Initiative, comprised of three Beyond Solidarity
partnerships for testing, treating and preventing COVID-19,
underpinned by health systems strengthening. Beyond the Solidarity trial, WHO is closely monitoring
candidate therapeutics through its therapeutic candidates
On 1 and 2 July WHO will convene a second Global Forum landscape analyses, working with the Covid-19 - living
on COVID-19 Research and Innovation to take stock of Network Meta-Analysis initiative to track more than 1300
the progress towards meeting the priorities defined in the clinical trials an srudies regisered on WHO’s International
Global Research Roadmap. The virtual Forum is expected Clinical Trials Registry Platform.
to be attended by over 1200 participants from more than 90
countries, and will be an essential and timely opportunity to In addition, WHO’s global research database gathers
Solidarity trial therapeutics
are delivered by WHO to
frame the next set of research priorities up to the end of 2020 the latest international multilingual scientific findings and researchers in Iran. Iran was
and beyond. knowledge on COVID-19. The global literature cited in the one of 12 countries, along with
Norway, Spain, Switzerland,
WHO COVID-19 database is updated daily from searches of Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, the
Solidarity trial bibliographic databases, hand searching, and the addition of Philippines, India, Saudi Arabia,
other expert-referred scientific articles. Honduras and Lebanon, to be
While the search for an effective treatment for COVID-19 taking part in the Solidarity trial
continues, WHO has cautioned against giving unproven before the end of April 2020. A
treatments to patients with COVID-19 until there is sufficient WHO has also launched Solidarity II: a global collaboration further 12 countries are scheduled
evidence of benefit. The consensus among experts is that to promote the implementation of serological surveys of to join the trial throughout May. In

far more testing is urgently needed to determine whether SARS-CoV-2. Serological testing detects antibodies in the total, almost 100 countries have
expressed an interest in joining the
existing anti-viral drugs can be effectively repurposed to target blood that indicate whether a person has been infected with trial. The larger the trial becomes,
COVID-19. If proven safe and effective, large numbers of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. By conducting Credit: WHO the faster it will be able to gather
deaths could be avoided through access to one or more of surveys among different populations around the world, we crucial data on efficacy.

these treatments. can together understand how frequently infection occurs

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
 • Developing specific criteria that vaccine scientists, product health of the rapid availability and deployment of effective
The Covid-19 - living Network
developers, manufacturers, regulators and funding agencies vaccines against COVID-19, on 9 April WHO published the
Meta-Analysis initiative has so can use for prioritization. The attributes and criteria lay out core protocol for an international, multi-site, individually
far gathered and analysed data some of the considerations that structure WHO’s case-by- randomized controlled clinical trial that will enable the
from 1327 studies of treatments case assessments of COVID-19 vaccines in the future, with concurrent evaluation of benefits and risks of each promising
from WHO’s International Clinical
Trials Registry Platform. Over emphasis on prioritization for Phase IIb/III evaluations. candidate vaccine within 3–6 months of it being made
740 of these trials are currently available for the trial.
recruiting patients. The initiative • Coordinating the Human challenge studies working group
produces a living map of ongoing tasked to consider the feasibility, utility, realistic timelines WHO has also launched a call for expressions of interest from
research in order to identify gaps and approximate costs for establishing a closely monitored vaccine trial sites around the world using the core protocol
and deficiencies in real time to
help prioritize and optimize future
experimental challenge model of infection with SARS-CoV-2 which will include several candidate COVID-19 candidates
research. (fully virulent or attenuated) in healthy adult volunteers. that meet WHO prioritization criteria. This will prepare for the
The Expert Group will also discuss the procedures to be launch of a Solidarity Trial for Vaccines that will build on the
codified and logistical obstacles to be overcome to perform platform built for the Therapeutics Solidarity Trial. By the end
such challenge studies and to propose practical solutions to of June 2020 over 115 sites in 16 countries have expressed
overcome identified hurdles. an interest in joining a Vaccine Solidarity Trial.
• Launching a call for interest in engaging on animal studies The power of the Vaccine Solidarity Trial is its global ambition,
for vaccine evaluations with 17 laboratories in 8 countries with and the potential to rapidly deploy and assess vaccines in
animal laboratory facilities. areas with high transmission. The results for the efficacy of
each vaccine are expected within three to six months and this
• Mapping of animal models that can accelerate COVID-19
evidence, combined with data on safety, will inform decisions
vaccine and therapeutics development
about whether a vaccine candidate can be used on a wider
• Establishing an Expert Group focusing on COVID-19 scale in those countries or regions where the vaccines are
viruses, reagents and immune assays. The goal of the being tested.
COVID-19 clinical studies registered daily to the end of June 2020 group is to advance the development of COVID-19 medical
countermeasures (vaccines and immunotherapeutics). This is
being achieved by providing a platform to discuss availability 5 | Ensuring access
of viruses and key reagents, to share data on immune assays
Once a safe and effective vaccine becomes available, it will
and the potential for cross reactivity of SARS-CoV-2 with other
be vital that it is accessible to everyone who needs it. WHO
coronaviruses.
will continue to work to align research and development, fast-
track regulatory approvals, harness manufacturing, and work
with funders so that all populations in all countries can access
2 | Mapping candidate vaccines and their progress across
a vaccine as early as possible. To that end, the COVAX
the world
Facility forms a key part of the vaccine pillar of the Access to
Over 140 vaccines have been proposed across the world and COVID-19 Tools Accelerator. COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the
WHO is tracking details in a constantly updated landscape Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and
analysis of the types of vaccines under development and their WHO, working in partnership with developed and developing
progress through various stages of development. country vaccine manufacturers. COVAX aims to accelerate
the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines,
and to guarantee fair and equitable access for every country
among different populations, how many people have had the development of more than 140 candidate vaccines across 3 | Defining the desired characteristics of safe and effective in the world by sharing the risks associated with vaccine
mild or asymptomatic infection, how many people have been the world, several of which have already entered late-stage vaccines to combat the pandemic development, by investing in manufacturing upfront so
infected but may not have been identified by routine disease clinical trials. And WHO is playing a vital role in every stage of vaccines can be deployed at scale as soon as they are proven
To guide the efforts of vaccine developers, WHO has drawn successful, and by pooling procurement and purchasing
surveillance, and what proportion of the population may be the development and delivery process, including:
up Global Target Product Profiles (TPPs) for COVID-19 power to ensure the delivery of sufficient volumes of vaccine
immune from infection by SARS-CoV-2 in the future. Access
1 | Harnessing a broad global coalition to develop and vaccine. The TPPs outline the minimum and desired attributes to end the acute phase of the pandemic during 2021.
to this information is crucial to enable local, national, and
evaluate candidate vaccines as quickly and safely as possible of a safe and effective vaccine, and cover two types of
international decision-makers to calibrate their response to
vaccines: vaccines for the long-term protection of people at To date, 75 countries have submitted expressions of interest
the pandemic. WHO’s core function is to direct and coordinate international
higher risk of COVID-19, such as healthcare workers; and in partnering with up to 90 lower-income countries through
efforts through: the facility, with support for lower-income countries supported
vaccines that stimulate a rapid onset of immunity for use in
• Global collaboration and cooperation; response to outbreaks. through voluntary donations to Gavi’s COVAX Advance
Market Commitment. Together, this group of up to 165
• Development of robust methods;
Accelerating the development of a safe and countries represents more than 60% of the world’s population.
effective vaccine • Working to accelerate progress and avoid duplication of 4 | Coordinating clinical trials across the world – giving Among the group are representatives from every continent
research efforts; humanity the best chance of safe and effective vaccines for all and more than half of the world’s G20 economies.

• Coordinating an unparalleled effort to rapidly and WHO is proposing to massively accelerate the evaluation of
Developing and testing a new vaccine is usually a process simultaneously assess many vaccines. vaccines. Its expert group has designed a core protocol for a
that takes many years. In the little over 6 months since the global and globally coordinated randomized controlled clinical
world was first alerted to the danger of COVID-19, the global WHO has brought scientists, developers and funders together
trial for vaccines. Recognizing the critical importance to world
research community has acted with a speed and agility that to coordinate action, and provide common platforms for
is truly unprecedented, in an effort to find a safe and effective working together, including:
vaccine in the shortest time possible. WHO is now tracking

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
In focus: Africa COVID-19 hackathon Box 3  The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT)
Accelerator Commitment
In the first week of April 2020, the WHO Regional Office
for Africa hosted its first Hackathon, bringing together 100
We commit to the shared aim of equitable global
leading innovators from across sub-Saharan Africa in a
access to innovative tools for COVID-19 for all.
bid to pioneer creative local solutions to the COVID-19
pandemic and address critical gaps in the regional We commit to an unprecedented level of partnership
response. – proactively engaging stakeholders, aligning
and coordinating efforts, building on existing
Through a facilitated process, participants were tasked with
collaborations, collectively devising solutions, and
developing innovative and scalable approaches and tools
grounding our partnership in transparency, and
aligned with one of the pillars of the COVID-19 country
science.
response strategy, including coordination; surveillance;
risk communication and community engagement; points We commit to create a strong unified voice to
of entry; laboratory; infection prevention and control; case maximize impact, recognizing this is not about
management and continuity of essential health services; singular decision-making authority, but rather
and operational and logistics support. Based on the collective problem-solving, interconnectedness and
adjudication process by experts, three innovations have inclusivity, where all stakeholders can connect and
since received seed funding amounting to US$ 22 500 benefit from the expertise, knowledge and activities
to further develop their innovations and to pilot them in of this shared action-oriented platform.
different settings.
We commit to build on past experiences towards
Proposals received ranged from mobile-driven self- achieving this objective, including ensuring that
diagnosis, screening and mapping tools, to alternative low- every activity we undertake is executed through the
cost methods for producing personal protective equipment. lens of equitable global access, and that the voices
The WHO hackathon initiative received wide coverage in of the communities most affected are heard.
international media and endorsements from many regional
We commit to be accountable to the world, to
and international stakeholders as one of the key initiatives
communities, and to one another. We are coming
from Africa that fosters development of local solutions to
together in the spirit of solidarity, and in the service
address local challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.
of humanity, to achieve our mission and vision.
The initiative has since been scaled up through innovative
partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB)
to promote strategic and operational coordination that
resulted in ramping up development of non-health-sector
solutions to tackle some of the most pressing challenges
created by the Covid-19 pandemic. This led to the launch
of the #AfricaVsVirus Challenge initiative by AfDB in
partnership with WHO on 17 April 2020. WHO has also
received additional resources from other international
donors to directly support continuity of the WHO hackathon
initiative beyond COVID-19.
One of the selected innovations, NextGenCoviAI, is an
integrated digital platform for COVID-19 management, risk
factors assessment and diagnosis, which has since been
rolled out at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda.

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COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
 THE ROAD AHEAD
By working together with countries, partners, and The scale of the challenge is huge, with significant shortfalls Based on this urgent need, WHO requires a total of US$ 1.368 Table 7  Overview of WHO resource requirements:
communities, we have achieved a great deal in six months in key capacities in priority GHRP countries as the pandemic billion to support preparedness and response in the 63 GHRP January to December 2020
that have seen the world changed by COVID-19, and WHO continues to accelerate (figure 5). Although almost all and other high vulnerability/high risk priority countries. In
change with it. The Organization has acted at a speed, scale, GHRP countries now have a national COVID-19 risk addition, WHO requires US$ 237 million to cover the estimated Requirement
with a unity of purpose, and in coordination with its UN and communication and community engagement plan, only half costs of international coordination and operations, including (million US$)
global partners in a way that is unparalleled in its history. Yet of priority countries have a functional risk communication continuing the operation of the COVID-19 Supply Chain
there is so much more to do, and there is no time to waste. and community engagement coordination mechanism. Less System that has already obtained more than 140 million items Global and regional coordination and support 237
than a third of priority countries have identified a set of core of personal protective equipment, 4.5 million laboratory test
The vast majority (86%) of countries now have a national Support to COVID-19 national plans 1368
essential health services to be maintained. Less than half kits, and 5 million sample collection kits that are available and
COVID-19 plan, but many need targeted operational support
priority countries have a focal point for infection prevention scheduled for delivery throughout July and August 2020 alone. Research and development 135
and technical support to be able to fully implement them.
and control training within the Incident Management and
The COVID-19 Partners Platform provides an up to date Continuing urgent work to accelerate and coordinate research Total 1740
Support Team, limiting their ability to scale up IPC capacity.
overview of the overall needs and resources available, and development will require a further US$ 135 million until
And over two-thirds of priority countries have had to suspend
enabling transparent and informed planning, implementation, the end of 2020. As research and development efforts such as
immunization campaigns because of COVID-19. Half of
and resourcing, and donors are encouraged to continue to WHO’s Solidarity Trial continue to bear fruit, WHO must work
suspended programmes are Polio campaigns, with 20% of
support plans through the portal. At the same time, WHO as with partners to coordinate global action and leadership to
suspensions hitting Mumps, Measles & Rubella campaigns. At
part of the IASC has identified 63 priority countries as part ensure the benefits of research are shared equitably.
present, more than 110 million people in priority countries are
of the GHRP that require more targeted support to rapidly
at risk of missing a scheduled measles vaccination in 2020. In total, US$1.74 billion (table 7) is needed to respond to Figure 6  WHO funding received and funding gap
strengthen and/or provide essential response capacity and
Without urgent action these countries will see decades of COVID-19 across the three levels of the organization until as at 30 June 2020
essential health service continuity.
development gains wiped out, with consequences that will last the end of December 2020. WHO’s resource requirement
for generations to come. is necessary to provide support at global, regional and
US$ 0.72 billion received by
country level for all pillars of public health response, including
WHO to 30 June 2020
maintaining essential health services, and includes health
needs under the Global Humanitarian Response Plan for
Figure 5  Key performance and situation indicators for 63 GHRP priority countries: data as at 30 June 2020 humanitarian settings. Taking into account the funds that WHO
has received to date (see table 2 above), the funding gap
stands at over US$ 1 billion for 2020 (figure 6).
Proportion of priority countries and territories with an active risk communication and community engagement
coordination mechanism (target 100%) Flexible funding will be key to enabling WHO and its partners to
respond effectively and equitably. In a rapidly evolving situation
52.4% such as this pandemic, the needs and priorities of countries
can change at a moment’s notice. COVID-19 has heightened
inequalities across every part of society, and between countries.
Funding that is earmarked for use for specific countries or
Proportion of priority countries and territories where the Incident Management Support Team has a focal activities makes it more difficult to divide available respources
point for IPC training (target 100%) equitably on the basis of need, which can in turn impair the
ability of WHO and partners to support response efforts where
49.2% that support is most crucial.
As at 30 June 2020, the world stands at a pivotal juncture
in the course of the pandemic. Collaborative research and
knowledge sharing have helped to answer some of the crucial US$ 1.02 billion required by WHO
Proportion of priority countries and territories that have identified a set of core essential services (target to end December 2020
questions about the benefits and costs of different response
100%)
strategies in different contexts, the transmissibility of the virus,
the clinical spectrum of the disease, and its capacity to rapidly
22.2% overwhelm even the most resilient health systems. We know
that when countries take a comprehensive approach based on
fundamental public health measures and a whole-of-society
approach COVID-19 can be brought under control, and this can
Proportion of priority countries and territories in which at least one immunization campaign has been
herald the reopening of societies and economies in a prudent,
suspended or postponed due to COVID-19 (target 0%)
step-wise manner. A false dichotomy is often presented,
where we are told to choose between saving economies and
68.3% controlling COVID-19. Societies and economies can only
function, recover, and adapt where and when the virus has
been controlled. COVID-19 is a disease that thrives on delay,
denial, and division; we can beat it with rapid coordinated
Proportion of priority countries and territories with a multisectoral mental health and psychosocial support action, clarity and scientific endeavor, and unity of purpose.
technical working group (target 100%) COVID‑19 is a truly global crisis: the only way to overcome it is
together, in global solidarity.
44.4%

37% 67%
45 46
COVID-19: February–June progress report COVID-19: February–June progress report
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