Warned today that the world remains ‘dangerously unprepared’ for the next pandemic Red Crossespecially given that future health crises are likely to occur alongside climate change-related natural disasters.

There is a “severe shortage” of robust prevention and preparedness systems, despite shortcomings identified during the three years of the pandemic. COVID-19evaluated by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The world’s largest humanitarian network believes that trust, equity and local action must be the pillars on which to build preparations for the next crisis.

Governments are no more ready for the IFRC now than they were in 2019 when the Covid-19 virus emerged in China.

Moreover, countries must be prepared to face “many risks, not just one,” because two crises could very well happen at the same time.

Thus, the Humanitarian Network highlights the rise in climate-related natural disasters and waves of epidemics this century, of which Covid-19 is one example.

For the Red Cross, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, and “our ability to deal with them is limited.”

Crisis of confidence

“The Covid-19 pandemic should be a warning to the international community to prepare immediately for the next health crisis,” said IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain.

“The next pandemic may be imminent, and if the Covid-19 experience doesn’t speed up preparations, then what can?” – he asked.

In its report, the agency insists that crises affect those who are already most vulnerable and that it is “doomed to fail” to leave the poorest unprotected because the disease could return in a more virulent form. It is also “disastrous for society”.

The IFRC estimates that if citizens had confidence in the safety messages, they would be willing to comply with public health measures as well as consent to vaccinations. And he insists that trust be built gradually, and this process cannot wait for the crisis to begin.

If trust wanes, polarization and individualism take over, according to the agency, as the pandemic has shown.

More investment

Besides, the pandemic could exacerbate existing inequalitieswith poor sanitation infrastructure, overcrowding, lack of access to health and social services, and malnutrition. All these are favorable conditions for the spread of diseases.

“The planet must address health and socioeconomic vulnerabilities long before the next crisis,” recommended the agency, which advises influencing local communities.

The IFRC is also calling for the development of products that are cheaper and easier to store and manage to deal with the pandemic.

By 2025, he estimates countries will need to increase domestic health financing by one percent of gross domestic product and global health financing by at least $15 billion a year.

Source: RES-IPE