Under the International Health Regulations (IHR), the Director-General of the World Health Organization has the power to decide whether or not an event, such as an infectious disease outbreak, constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The declaration of a PHEIC is intended to heighten awareness of potential threats and encourage states to follow recommendations given by WHO. PHEICs have been declared in response to disease outbreaks such as COVID-19 and Ebola, which were followed by a series of Temporary Recommendations related to issues such as travel and trade restrictions.
This project aims to produce a clearer understanding of what happens in practice when the WHO declares a PHEIC. In particular, it is interested in understanding how states respond to the declaration of a PHIEC, including: any benefits associated with a PHEIC declaration; whether it facilitates or triggers a domestic response within states; and whether a PHEIC declaration triggers the release of emergency funds or other resources dedicated to emergency response. Additionally, the project is interested in understanding how, if at all, the response to the declaration of a PHEIC differs between countries, particularly between HICs and LMICs. In doing this, the project aims to better understand the significance of the PHEIC mechanism and create a knowledge base of current practices, with a view to informing policymakers and other stakeholders engaged in the drafting process for a new pandemic treaty or other instrument, as well as the parallel process for reform of the IHR.
For more information, please contact Clare Wenham c.wenham@lse.ac.uk