Alison Brunier

WHO Member States wrapped up intensive talks on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS). Countries will reconvene in January, underscoring global urgency and commitment to make the world safer from future pandemics. Read more: who.int/news/item/05-1…

I joined the 3rd Intergovernmental Working Group Meeting on the @WHO Pandemic Agreement from Brazil, where I am attending the Leaders’ Summit of the #COP30 Climate Change Conference. While these two processes are different, they share the goal of protecting humanity from existential threats to the health of billions. Multilateral action, solidarity and a dedication to safeguarding #HealthForAll are central to making the world safer from pandemics, and curbing the threat posed by climate change. In my address to WHO Member States, I praised them for their commitment to finding solutions to forging a new system on pathogen access and benefit sharing – the cornerstone of the Pandemic Agreement they adopted earlier this year. Together, we are shaping a framework that will help to make the world safer when – not if – the next pandemic strikes. Because in the end, solidarity is our best immunity. who.int/news/item/07-1…

It’s been over a month since the #DRC declared an #Ebola outbreak in Bulape, and we have some good news: -Ten days have passed without any new reported case; -Another survivor was discharged today, bringing the total number of survivors to 15. Unfortunately, one confirmed patient died at the Ebola treatment centre yesterday. With continued joint efforts by the government, @WHO, and partners, this outbreak can be stopped and more lives can be saved. We must all remain vigilant.

Today’s attack on a Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) primary health care center in #Gaza City turned it into rubble. Two health workers were reportedly injured. It was among Gaza City's few functioning facilities, providing blood donation and testing services, trauma care, cancer medications and chronic disease treatment. The strike reportedly came just 30 minutes after a warning to evacuate. The building also housed several clinics and the Gaza Community Mental Health Programmes (GCMHP) training and community center. PMRS and GCMHP are both key @WHO partners. The continued destruction of Gaza City's health facilities will cause more deaths and further overwhelm already overcrowded hospitals in the south. Attacks on health facilities must end. The senseless violence must stop. Ceasefire!

Al-Rantisi Hospital in #Gaza City was attacked yesterday while 80 patients were inside. No casualties were reported but the strikes caused panic among patients and staff. Significant damage to rooftop water tanks, electrical and communication systems, and some medical equipment were reported. 40 patients fled for safety, while 40 others, including 4 children in the intensive care and 8 newborns, remain inside. Al-Rantisi is the only specialized paediatric hospital left in the Gaza Strip providing oncology, dialysis, respiratory care and gastroenterology diseases for children. As the military incursion into Gaza City intensifies, hospitals, health workers, and patients need urgent protection. Gaza cannot afford to lose more hospitals. We reiterate: health must never be a target. Ceasefire!

Rollout of #Ebola vaccine has begun in DRC in response to the country’s most recent zairevirus outbreak. It is still thrilling to know a vaccine for this scourge has been licensed and can be rapidly deployed. Vaccines save lives. afro.who.int/countries/demo…

It's #WorldSuicidePreventionDay Many people think about suicide at some point in their lives. Suicidal thoughts and behaviours are signs of severe emotional distress, not weakness. 💙It is possible to get better. 💙You are not alone. 💙Help is available. Learn more about #SuicidePrevention 👉 bit.ly/4phPYKi

The impact of the deadly earthquake in eastern #Afghanistan is devastating. My thoughts are with everyone affected. @WHOAfghanistan team is supporting the response in hospitals and health facilities, and assessing immediate health needs. Additional supplies and team deployments are underway.

I appreciate @POTUS’ call for transparency and sharing of all data demonstrating the life-saving power of the COVID-19 vaccine. Public trust in health and science depends on such openness. We must not forget that Operation Warp Speed was an immense success: it was instrumental in rapidly making available vaccines that protected the health of hundreds of millions of people during the most unprecedented health crisis of our time – the COVID19 pandemic. Millions of lives were saved around the world thanks to COVID vaccines.

The #Gaza famine, a man-made catastrophe, has unfolded in front of the world’s eyes. We saw it coming. We warned about it. We were not allowed to stop it. Now, as we count the lives lost to this intentional starvation, there is only one question to ask world leaders: Where is humanity? End the blockade of aid — TODAY. CEASEFIRE!

Just when it seems there are no words left to describe the living hell in Gaza, a new one has been added: “famine”. This is not a mystery — it is a man-made disaster, a moral indictment and a failure of humanity itself. Famine is not only about food; it is the deliberate collapse of the systems needed for human survival. People are starving. Children are dying. And those with the duty to act are failing. As the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law — including the duty of ensuring food and medical supplies of the population. We cannot allow this situation to continue with impunity. No more excuses. The time for action is not tomorrow — it is now. We need an immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages and full, unfettered humanitarian access.

.@theIPCinfo has just confirmed #famine in #Gaza governorate. This man-made, widespread malnutrition means that even common and usually mild diseases like diarrhoea are becoming fatal, especially for children. Gaza must be urgently supplied with food and medicines. Aid blockages must end!

Today @WHO supported the medical evacuation of 32 child and 6 adult patients from #Gaza, alongside 99 companions: * 25 child and 6 adult patients were evacuated to Italy * 5 child patients were evacuated to Belgium * 2 child patients were being evacuated to Türkiye We thank @eu_echo and all governments that have shown solidarity with Gaza’s critical patients by offering them specialized care. However, more than 14,800 patients still need lifesaving medical care that is not available in Gaza. We call on more countries to step forward and offer support, and for referral routes to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be restored before it is too late. Ceasefire! Peace is the best medicine.

The attack on @PalestineRCS headquarters in Khan Younis, #Gaza, is appalling. @WHO extends deepest condolences to the family of the staff member who lost their life in the attack. We hope those who were injured make a swift recovery. Once again, we demand that attacks on health and humanitarian workers must stop. Ceasefire!

Since Friday, @WHO has brought 24 trucks with medical supplies into #Gaza. The items include essential medicines, trauma and surgery supplies, treatments for non-communicable diseases, and laboratory and water testing supplies. They will be transported to health facilities and health partners in the coming days. We thank the UAE for their donations. We urge for the continued facilitation of a sustained, uninterrupted and scaled-up flow of health aid. Lives across Gaza depend on it.

Today, @WHO supported the medical evacuation of 47 patients and 129 companions from #Gaza, despite the ongoing challenges to humanitarian operations and access constraints. Patients travelled to: - Spain: 13 child and one adult patients - Türkiye: 2 adult patients - France: 4 child and one adult patients - Norway: 6 child and 2 adult patients - Jordan: 18 child patients We are grateful to all the governments and health workers for their support and specialised care for the critical patients from Gaza. Over 14,000 patients are still in need of urgent care. We urge more countries to step forward to accept patients for medical evacuations. Ceasefire!

We once again call on the Israeli authorities to ensure the immediate release of our @WHOoPt colleague detained in #Gaza.

The 2.1 million people trapped in the war zone that is #Gaza are facing yet another killer on top of bombs and bullets: starvation. We demand full access to deliver aid. We demand the release of all hostages. We demand a ceasefire. We demand a political solution. Peace is the best medicine.

One person drowns every two minutes. Over 3 million lives lost in just a decade. Most of them young. Most of them preventable. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 👶 Teach kids to swim 🌊 Build barriers 🦺 Wear life jackets 🚨 Improve flood response WHO is working with countries to turn the tide. Learn more 👉bit.ly/DrowningPreven…