Guidelines for strengthening multidisciplinary rapid response teams for health emergencies and disasters in the Region of the Americas

Multidisciplinary rapid response teams (RRTs) play a key role in the health response to health emergencies or disasters, by conducting damage assessment, collecting and analyzing critical health information, and supporting local authorities in the assessment, planning, coordination, and implementation of response operations. The countries of the Region of the Americas have a wealth of experience in the organization and deployment of different types of response teams (damage assessment, mental health, immunization, water and sanitation, outbreak control, etc.), as well as RRTs. These emergency medical teams have proven their worth in a range of events including earthquakes, epidemics, floods, migration crises, conflicts, and, especially, in the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the diversity of the countries in the Region, this publication is intended as a reference framework to strengthen the operation and sustainability of countries’ existing RRTs. 

This document draws from their experiences and existing best practices in the Region. It aims to strengthen governance and facilitate the incorporation of RRTs into national and subnational preparedness processes, especially as part of response plans with a multi-hazard approach. The objective of this publication is to provide guidance to ministries and departments of health —as well as other entities that are part of national emergency systems at the country, subnational, and local levels— on the minimum requirements for the organization and operation of RRTs. The document addresses the characteristics, roles, and principles guiding the work of RRTs, as well as the criteria required to establish them, and aspects related to developing standard operating procedures.