On 17 March 2025, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), launched the National Multi-Hazard Emergencies Preparedness and Response Plan (NMHEPRP) and the Handbook for Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOC) in Windhoek.

The multi-hazard plan was developed by MoHSS in collaboration with WHO and partners to ensure effective coordination of multi sectoral response to public health emergencies. This all-hazard public health emergency response system aims to reduce morbidity, mortality, and disability arising from various hazards. In partnership with the Robert Koch-Institute (RKI), MoHSS also established the Handbook for Public Health Emergency Operation Centres, which provides essential guidance for managing and operating the PHEOC to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. This is to ensure optimal use and effectiveness of the facility.

At the launch event, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services, emphasized that the launch of these two national documents signifies Namibia’s commitment to building a cohesive, responsive, and resilient health system. “Through collaboration, innovation, and dedication, we are laying down the foundational stones for a robust public health landscape that prioritizes the safety and health of every person in Namibia,” he stated.

The NMHEPRP aims to enhance the country’s ability to coordinate and respond to emergencies through a comprehensive emergency management approach. The plan will be used by a wide range of multisectoral stakeholders involved in emergency and disaster response management. The multihazard plan is an update of the previous EPR plans for the country. The first health emergencies plan in Namibia was developed in 2003 and revised in 2013 to accommodate emerging public health conditions, and the implementation of International Health Regulations (IHR). The new multi-hazard plan includes concepts/ mechanism of the incident management systems and the grading of public health events in alignment with the WHO Emergency Response Framework 2.1. These new concepts are envisioned or will help strengthen the coordination and management of public health events in the country.

The WHO Regional Strategy for Health Security and Emergencies 2022–2030 recommends that African member states develop emergency response plans using a multi-hazard approach. Since many hazards share similar risks to health, and their emergency and disaster risk management functions often overlap, it is inefficient and cost-ineffective to develop separate response mechanisms for each individual hazard. Health emergency management policies, strategies and related programmes are therefore recommended to address common issues with common capacities, supplemented by specific risk-related capabilities.

“The first step in preparedness is having a plan, hence today we are here to officially launch this plan,” said Dr. Richard Banda, WHO Representative. “This plan will serve as a catalyst to enhance the existing coordination mechanism to prepare, detect and respond timely to different types of health emergencies in the country and beyond,” he added.

At the event, the WHO-funded Digital Learning Platform (DLP) was inaugurated, and 80 tablets for community health workers were officially handed over by WHO to MoHSS. The DLP will enable health workers to participate in face-to-face and/or virtual learning programs, in various formats (e-learning, conferences, simulations) to guarantee up-to-date knowledge and cohesion in the measures to take during a health emergency. The DLP is part of the WHO flagship project support to the country.