Resolution 3 – Time to act: Tackling epidemics and pandemics together

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Summary

Resolution 3 “Time to act: Tackling epidemics and pandemics together” aims to support the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement) in implementing a structured, comprehensive, predictable and coordinated approach to epidemic prevention, detection, response and recovery in close cooperation with States and other partners. It embodies an acknowledgment of the risk posed by disease outbreaks and is a significant step forward in reaching sustained progress towards improved capacity.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has, more than ever, demonstrated the importance of such a resolution and serves as a stark reminder of the threat to humanity posed by emerging communicable diseases. Other outbreaks such as Ebola and the pandemics of H1N1 and H5N1 influenza and other severe acute respiratory syndromes (SARS) also underline very specific needs. Epidemics are often a symptom of underlying weaknesses in the health system and of poverty and inequity. They cause illness and death but can also impact the stability and economy of affected communities. The overarching direction of improved epidemic response is, therefore, grounded in strengthening resilience and building capacity at all levels, including in communities, National Societies and governments and within the humanitarian architecture. The Movement has a long and extensive history in the prevention and control of epidemics. Every year, National Societies around the globe are involved in mobilizing communities, caring for the sick and protecting the vulnerable from a wide variety of infectious agents.

This resolution is deliberately focused on activities and actions where the Movement creates added value to existing capacities and therefore has a strong emphasis on community approaches and localized responses. The resolution facilitates the development of a common vision, approach and commitment to working together within countries and across borders to ensure maximum impact of all epidemic control investments and successful detection, control and response activities, ultimately saving lives and building health resilience with and in the most vulnerable communities.

Some of the actions to be taken following the 33rd International Conference

By States

Facilitate the contribution of the Movement’s components to ensuring a predictable and coordinated approach to epidemics and pandemics
Include National Societies in disease prevention and control and multisectoral preparedness and response frameworks and provide funding support

By the Movement

Work with public authorities to deliver an efficient and expedited public health response for affected populations during crises, including building early warning and rapid response capacity in hard-to-reach, underserved and high-risk communities

By States and Movement components

Actively engage with communities on outbreak prevention, preparedness and response
Develop innovative tools (i.e. data and technology), guidance and strategies to strengthen response capacities and quality
Ensure the health and safety of volunteers and staff responding to epidemics/pandemics, including mental health and psychosocial well-being

Adopted resolution at the 33rd International Conference

Resolution 3 – Time to act: Tackling epidemics and pandemics together
- Adopted resolution (33IC/19/R3)
- Background document (33IC/19/12.3)

Reporting on resolution

Share your progress and implementation highlights here!

The Conference organizers want to hear from States and National Societies about how they have been implementing their commitments from the 33rd International Conference. You can submit a short and simple progress report at any time by filling in the online reporting form. This information will be gathered periodically to assess the level of implementation and highlight the progress made

(To access the online reporting form, conference members are required to log into the system with their username and password. There is only one user account per member and only one representative from each National Society or State member has access to the reporting form and is able to submit a report. However multiple reports can be submitted. Please refer to the reporting user guide section on the follow-up on the outcomes of the 33rd International Conference page https://rcrcconference.org/about/reporting/ for information on how to report, log in and retrieve information from the database)

Reporting form in Word format
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Related activities

Planet: Red Summit “Tackling the humanitarian impact of climate change and pandemics. Together”

12 – 14 October 2021 (past event)

Organized by the IFRC and ICRC

View recordings of the sessions and keynotes

IFRC Health and Care Conference, Thematic session “COVID-19 vaccines: success to date, lessons learned and challenges”

March 2021 (past event)

Organized by: IFRC

IFRC Health and Care Conference, Thematic session “Lessons learned from COVID-19 response”

February 2021 (past event)

organized by: IFRC

Related pledges

Reporting on pledges related to this resolution

Please click here to view all pledges made at the 33rd International Conference related to this resolution. To report on a pledge submitted or signed, please click on the title of the selected pledge.

(To access the online reporting form, conference members are required to log into the system with their username and password. There is only one user account per member and that only one representative from each National Society or State member has access to the reporting form and is able to submit a report. However, multiple reports can be submitted. Please refer to the reporting user guide section on the follow-up on the outcomes of the 33rd International Conference page https://rcrcconference.org/about/reporting/ for more information on how to report, log in and retrieve information from the database) View related pledges

Search for existing reports of related pledges View existing reports on related pledges