Effective leadership is key to health emergency response management. Since 2019, the Learning and Capacity Development Unit (LCD) has delivered the Leadership in Emergencies programme to 150 staff in WHO and Member States.
The programme helps participants develop key leadership skills to fulfil team lead, Health Cluster Coordinator and Incident Manager roles. In 2021, the programme moved online to increase access for learners. It has three elements: |  |
Participants said the programme has helped them lead in emergency contexts: “The main takeaways that I have applied during my daily work have been how to strengthen my team and take care of them, providing feedback and better interaction among each other. And the most important: Supporting them to achieve our mission – WHO and PAHO’s mission – because success is not about compete but collaborate,” said Luis de la Fuente, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) regional advisor for the Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) initiative and, during the pandemic, part of the Incident Management System team providing technical support and coordination in medical surge capacity and EMT response.
In 2022, LCD will open the programme to another 160 participants, and work with colleagues and partners to further develop the programme to enhance its reach and quality for learners.