2011-06-08-世界卫生组织-Scaling-up_the_Community-Based_Health_Workforce_for_Emergencies_8页_922kb

Summary of the Joint Statement on Scaling Up the Community-Based Health Workforce for Emergencies

Core Content

This joint statement emphasizes the critical role of the community-based health workforce in all phases of emergency risk management, including prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. It calls for increased recognition, training, and support for this workforce to enhance their capacity to manage emergencies effectively.

Main Points

1. The Importance of Community-Based Health Workforce in Emergencies

• Front-line protection: Community-based health workers are essential in managing emergencies due to their local knowledge, cultural relevance, and ability to respond quickly.
• Early intervention: They can save lives in the first hours after an emergency before external help arrives.
• Increased vulnerability: With more frequent and severe emergencies due to climate change, conflicts, and urbanization, the role of the community-based health workforce becomes even more vital.
• Health impact: Emergencies threaten community health, livelihoods, and essential services, increasing illness, injury, and death.

2. Composition of the Community-Based Health Workforce

• Includes community health workers (CHWs), trained volunteers, community-based organizations, and actors from key sectors (e.g., water, sanitation, agriculture, education).
• These workers are often from migrant or displaced communities and have cultural and linguistic skills that enhance their effectiveness.

3. Role in Emergency Phases

• Preparedness: Conduct risk assessments, early warning systems, and emergency planning.
• Response: Provide health needs assessments, priority PHC services, community-based surveillance, first aid, and psychosocial support.
• Recovery: Continue PHC services, re-establish health systems, and integrate prevention into development.

4. Strengthening Health Systems

• Resilient health systems are better equipped to absorb emergency impacts and respond effectively.
• Primary health care (PHC) is central to building resilience and reducing vulnerability.
• Community case management (CCM) is a core strategy for managing common illnesses and reducing mortality.

5. Actions for Countries and Partners

• Countries should:

  • Strengthen health systems and emergency programs.
  • Define competencies for the workforce.
  • Ensure training, supervision, and resource allocation.
  • Incorporate community input into risk assessments.
  • Advocate for awareness and education on community-based interventions.

• Partners should:

  • Support country actions through funding, training, and technical assistance.
  • Develop guidance and tools for the workforce.
  • Utilize the existing capacities of the community-based health workforce.

Key Information

• Global and regional data shows that the number of people affected by disasters has increased significantly over the past decade.
• Community-based health workers are crucial for delivering primary health care and emergency services in hazard-prone communities.
• Community case management (CCM) is a cost-effective strategy to reduce avoidable illness and death.
• Local engagement is essential for effective emergency response and recovery.
• Mutual support between health systems and disaster risk management systems is necessary for resilience and preparedness.

Conclusion

The joint statement advocates for a multisectoral and community-driven approach to emergency health management. It underscores the need for policy support, training, and resource allocation to ensure the community-based health workforce is recognized, empowered, and integrated into all phases of emergency risk management. Strengthening this workforce is not only a health imperative, but also a development and resilience strategy.

References

The joint statement is supported by a wide range of international agencies, including:

• Global Health Workforce Alliance (GHWA)
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• International Medical Corps (IMC)
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)

The statement was developed through consultations, peer reviews, and technical inputs from various stakeholders, ensuring a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to strengthening the community-based health workforce.

Examples of Community-Based Health Workforce in Action

• Pakistan floods (2010): Lady health workers (LHWs) provided health education, medical supplies, and referral services to flood-affected communities.
• Uganda Red Cross Society: Volunteers were trained in community-based health and first aid (CBHFA) to reduce health risks and improve community awareness.
• Cyclone Nargis (2008): CHWs were trained in disaster preparedness and first aid, enabling immediate local response when health facilities were destroyed.

Call to Action

• Governments and partners must recognize, train, and support the community-based health workforce.
• Integration into health and disaster systems is necessary to ensure sustainable and effective emergency response.
• Further research is needed on skills, technologies, and best practices to strengthen the evidence base for community-based health interventions.