On 18 August, the WHO country office and Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon, with the support of WHO headquarters and the Regional Office, held a one-day table top simulation exercise for preparedness against respiratory infections of pandemic potential.

The simulation exercise was attended by stakeholders from the public and private sectors directly involved in the preparedness and response for major public health events at national and subnational levels.

The facilitated table top exercise using a simulated scenario stimulated discussion on multisectoral coordination, risk communication and community engagement, and triggers for operational decision-making.

Two and a half years after the first reported case of SARS-CoV-2 in Lebanon, as the world prepares for respiratory pathogen X (the next respiratory pathogen of pandemic potential), there remain many lessons to be learned and documented for a multidimensional and multisectoral preparedness and response approach.

The exercise was very well received and highlighted the need and demand for exercises of a similar nature in the near future.