21 February 2020 – Pacific Action Plan for COVID-19 preparedness and response

Type of Intervention: New Tool / Service / Body
Sectors Involved: Health, Local Government
Intervention Categories: Planning and strategy; Creation of or release of plans
Level of Jurisdiction: Supranational
Lead People/Agency: WHO Pacific

Overview: Joint Incident Management Team established based in the WHO Pacific office in Fiji, in order to provide strategic support to the region. The COVID-19 Joint IMT, coordinated by WHO in the Pacific alongside government and development partners, has developed and is implementing a six-month Pacific Action Plan for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness and Response. Under this plan, partners are coordinating activities so as to best leverage their respective resources and capacities to help ensure the region is getting the expert guidance and supplies needed to strengthen their health emergency preparedness.
Full details here: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/about/how-we-work/pacific-support/news/detail/21-02-2020-pacific-steps-up-preparedness-against-covid-19

Type of Justification: Advice of INTERNAL government advisory committee or group, Advice of EXTERNAL expert advisor or advisory committee, Advice of EXTERNAL group of non-academics (e.g. business or community leaders), Scientific Evidence (e.g. academic paper, report)
Source of Evidence or Justification: World Health Organisation, National – government, International – government, International – other
Evidence/Justification: The Joint IMT includes representatives from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Pacific Community (SPC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Through the IMT, close coordination is also ongoing with key partners, including: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Pacific Island Health Officers’ Association (PIHOA) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).