The Responses of International Organizations to the Health Emergency due To the Covid-19. A First Impression

The uncontrollable spread of the Covid-19 pandemic disease has caused extensive responses of the affected States, under the pressure of the emergency situation and under the influence of international organizations. To act as the leading guide and coordinator of the reaction to a pandemic at an international law level, the World Health Organization (WHO) relies on its 2005 International Health Regulations. These Regulations have been designed to ensure ‘global health security’, that is maximum security against the uncontrollable spread of a “public health emergency of international concern” with minimum interference with traffics and trade. The WHO can also act to promote and coordinate operational responses. The Covid-19 pandemic has confirmed that the effectivity of the WHO action depends on the capacity of its Member States to detect, report and contain health outbreaks, as well as to prevent further risks. Because of the large-scale impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, other international organizations have engaged in supporting the reaction of the affected States and prevention by non-yet-affected States. This essay focuses on these aspects in light of the existing international regulatory and policy framework on public health, by also addressing the implications of the importance of community and individual engagement within the response plans of international organizations, particularly of the WHO, and of the affected States.