This year, the 53^rd session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean will be held in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran, 9–12 September.

One of the key themes at this meeting will be preparedness and response to natural and man-made disasters and emergencies. Two of the items on the agenda exemplify this theme: a technical paper on the Regional strategy on preparedness and response for human pandemic influenza, the principal objective of which is to summarize the World Health Organization (WHO) global influenza preparedness plan and to outline the regional strategy for implementation, and the progress report on Emergency preparedness and response, which details the steps that have been taken towards the implementation of resolution EM/RC52/R.6 issued in September 2005.

Avian influenza A (H5N1) is primarily a disease of birds and rarely affects humans. As of 6 June 2006, however, the cumulative number of confirmed human cases of influenza A (H5N1) reported to WHO has increased significantly, from 3 in 2003 to 95 in 2005 and 81 in the first half of 2006. Altogether, more than half of these have been fatal. H5N1 avian influenza in humans must be closely monitored because of the potential of this virus to evolve in ways that could start a pandemic.

Experience has shown that detailed preparedness plans are extremely useful in reducing human suffering during natural or man-made disasters and major disease outbreaks. The regional strategy aims to ensure that plans are in place to reduce opportunities for this virus to develop into a form readily transmissible among humans. The latest information on the situation is available on the WHO Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response site at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/index.html.

Well trained and equipped disaster experts ensure the coordination and implementation of humanitarian assistance. WHO is, therefore, creating a roster of experts within the Region who have experience in emergency settings. The initial step was to identify the skills needed in emergency response and recovery phases. These include expertise in such areas as epidemiology, environmental health, public health, mental health and logistics. A pre-deployment training course is being developed which will address practical and operational aspects for those providing humanitarian assistance in an affected area.

Since the beginning of the current humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, health partners, led by WHO, have been providing immediate assistance, including access to safe drinking water, health care, vaccines and medications. The focus is on early recovery and reconstruction of the health system. Further information on emergency preparedness and response in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region can be found at http://www.emro.who.int/eha/.