About us

The Director-General has established an Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (the Programme), to provide oversight and monitoring of the development and performance of the Programme and to guide the Programme’s activities.

• Assess the performance of the Organization’s emergency work in preparedness, prevention, detection and response.
• Assess the performance of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (the WHE Programme) key functions in all emergencies, including graded emergencies and infectious disease risks.
• Review the adequacy of the WHE Programme’s financing and resourcing.
• Provide advice to the Director-General.
• Prepare a report on its activities, containing the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations, for submission by the Chair of the Committee to the World Health Assembly.

Download the full Terms of reference

The IOAC identified the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment as a priority in 2021. On 23 July 2021, the WHO Director-General accepted a proposal by the IOAC Chairs to establish a sub-committee of the IOAC to advise him on matters related to prevention and response to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in beneficiary communities and in the workplace (PRSEAH).

More information on the IOAC Sub Committee on PRSEAH

The Committee consists of eight members drawn from national governments, nongovernmental organizations, and the UN system, with extensive experience in broad range of disciplines, including public health, infectious disease, humanitarian crises, public administration, emergency management, community engagement, partnerships and development. Members serve in their personal capacity and will exercise their responsibilities with full regard for the paramount importance of independence.