ETIDIOH - NEW

  WHO condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on a building housing WHO staff in Deir al Balah in Gaza, the mistreatment of those sheltering there, and the destruction of its main warehouse . Following intensified hostilities in Deir al Balah after the latest evacuation order issued by Israeli military, the WHO staff residence was attacked three times today.  Staff and their families, including children , were exposed to grave danger and traumatized after airstrikes caused a fire and significant damage.  Israeli military entered the premises , forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward Al-Mawasi amid active conflict .  Male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated on the spot, and screened at gunpoint .  Two WHO staff and two family members were detained .  Three were later released , while one staff member remains in detention.  Thirty-two people , including women and children, were collected and evacuated to the...

Agreement’s adoption follows three years of intensive negotiation launched due to gaps and inequities identified in national and global COVID-19 response. Agreement boosts global collaboration to ensure stronger , more equitable response to future pandemics. Next steps include negotiations on Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing system. Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) today formally adopted by consensus the world's first Pandemic Agreement. The landmark decision by the 78th World Health Assembly culminates more than three years of intensive negotiations launched by governments in response to the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and driven by the goal of making the world safer from – and more equitable in response to – future pandemics. “The world is safer today thanks to the leadership , collaboration and commitment of our Member States to adopt the historic WHO Pandemic Agreement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.  “The Ag...