All countries 'dangerously unprepared' for future pandemics: report

GENEVA -

The world is "dangerously unprepared" for future pandemics, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) say in a report published on Monday, calling on countries to update their preparedness plans by year-end.

In its World Disasters Report 2022, the IFRC said "all countries remain dangerously unprepared for future outbreaks" despite COVID-19 killing more people than any earthquake, drought or hurricane in history.

"The next pandemic could be just around the corner. If the experience of COVID-19 won't quicken our steps toward preparedness, what will?" said Jagan Chapagain, secretary general of the IFRC, the world's largest disaster response network.

"There will be no excuse for a continued lack of preparedness after having gone through three terrible years."

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The report said that countries should review their legislation to ensure it is in line with their pandemic preparedness plans by the end of 2023 and adopt a new treaty and revised International Health Regulations by next year that would invest more in the readiness of local communities.

It also recommended that countries increase domestic health finance by 1% of gross domestic product and global health finance by at least US$15 billion per year, which Chapagain described as a "good investment to make."

"The important thing is there has to be a political will to commit to that," he said. "If it is there, it's possible."

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber; editing by Sharon Singleton)