Specific contingency plans for priority hazards

Contingency plans are hazard-specific and provide:

• the potential scale of response (and possible scenarios);
• the emergency and command and control structures that are likely to be activated (i.e. links with multi-hazard core response mechanisms);
• response objectives and strategy;
• potential constraints for response implementation;
• main expertise and resources required;
• specifics of terms of detection, identification, response and recovery.

Many countries already maintain contingency plans for hazards such as pandemic influenza and other infectious diseases. Under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), countries are also required to develop contingency plans for points of entry.

Such plans are always regularly updated, or fully developed. While different hazards will require very different interventions, a single template for all detailed contingency plans is useful at the country level to establish clear interoperability with emergency operation plans, and to maximize the use of common systems and approaches where possible. In this regard, countries require an inventory of all specific contingency plans existing in the country and a process to cross-check whether they cover the priority risks identified in the strategic risk assessment.