The Region of the Americas faces a wide range of health emergencies and disasters, including natural hazards, disease outbreaks, and biological, chemical, and radiological events. These emergencies are occurring with increasing frequency and complexity, affecting millions of people each year and placing significant pressure on health systems and national response capacities. Protecting lives and maintaining access to essential health services during crises remains a major challenge for countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.
When national capacities are overwhelmed, PAHO supports countries in leading and coordinating the public health response. Through technical cooperation, the Organization helps authorities assess health needs and risks, strengthen emergency operations, deploy specialized expertise, and generate timely information that supports evidence-based decision-making. PAHO also works with governments and partners to facilitate relief, recovery, and the restoration of essential health services for affected populations.
PAHO’s response to emergencies and disasters is guided by an incident management approach that enables rapid, coordinated, and effective action across the Organization. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) serves as the hub for monitoring events, managing information, and coordinating response efforts, helping ensure that support reaches countries in a timely and efficient manner during emergencies.
Institutional Response Mechanisms:
