14 APRIL 2016, ADAMA | The Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) with the technical and financial support of the WHO Country Office in Ethiopia conducts a three days intensive training of trainers on Early Warning, Alert and Response System (EWARS).The training targets regional health bureau staffs that are responsible for cascading the training to the technicians in their respective regions.  This EWARS training is of paramount importance to effectively and efficiently expedite the health response to the current El Niño induced humanitarian crisis. 

On the occasion, Dr. Paul Mainuka, WHO OIC Ethiopia, underscored that launching the global Early Warning, Alert and Response in Emergencies (EWARS) in Ethiopia marks another milestone in the health emergency and preparedness plan.  “EWARS is in line with the country’s Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP) 2nd pillar, namely: excellence in quality improvement and assurance that caters for information revolution among others; and intends to support in a participatory manner the preparation and implementation of the Humanitarian emergency response through strengthening the early warning alert and response system by collecting real time data and thus allowing timely response,” Dr. Paul emphasized. 

Dr. Paul expressed his appreciation to the FMoH for taking the initiative and commitment for the implementation EWARS throughout the country. 

On behalf of the Ministry of health, Mr. Aschalew Abayneh, extended his thanks for the technical and financial assistance of the WHO in Ethiopia to conduct the EWARS TOT and its implementation. “Efforts from the different actors is crucial in a bid to avert the risk of morbidity and mortality due to malnutrition and disease outbreaks that could result as a consequence of current El Niño induced drought in the country,” Mr Aschalew underscored. He further noted that his ministry in collaboration with WHO is aiming at establishing an early warning system to detect and rapidly respond to suspected disease outbreaks and case of severe acute malnutrition through early warning Alerts and Response System (EWARS).

The EWARS training is expected to strengthen public health surveillance, alert and response system that enables the detection of rapid response to suspected disease outbreaks and cases of severe acute malnutrition during emergencies. The EWARS training is expected to enhance the FMOH public health emergency management to provide real time surveillance data at all levels that early detection of disease outbreak and develop strong links to public health action through the initiation of timely and effective response efforts.  It will also strengthen nutritional surveillance and increase the frequency of reporting from a monthly to weekly basis, improving early detection and reporting of excess severe acute malnutrition.   

EWARS is WHO’s global initiative that works towards strengthening early warning, alert, and response in emergencies.  It supports Ministries of Health and health partners through the provision of technical support, training, and field based tools that include computer and mobile application.  It is designed with frontline users in mind, and built to function in difficult and remote operating environments.