Countries Team Up in WHO’s Emergency Drill to Prepare for Future Outbreaks
A Fictional Virus Outbreak Highlights the Power of Collaboration and Trust in Crisis Response
Over the past two days, the World Health Organization (WHO) brought together more than 15 countries, along with over 20 regional health agencies and partners, to test a new way of working together during health emergencies. Called Exercise Polaris, this two-day simulation marked the first real-world test of the Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC)—a system designed to strengthen national emergency teams, coordinate expert support, and streamline collaboration between countries.
The simulation imagined a fictional virus spreading rapidly across the globe. Countries such as Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ethiopia, Germany, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia, Uganda, and Ukraine activated their national emergency systems to share updates, align strategies, and launch coordinated responses. Several other countries participated as observers. Meanwhile, major global health partners—including Africa CDC, European CDC, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and established emergency networks—joined forces to support the leading nations.
More than 350 health experts from around the world participated in the exercise. They responded to the fictional outbreak as if it were real—testing how effectively they could share information, offer technical guidance, and deliver emergency support. The exercise emphasized the importance of building trust, clear communication, and mutual accountability.
“This exercise shows that when countries take the lead and partners collaborate, we’re all stronger,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “No one can manage a pandemic alone. Polaris proves that global cooperation isn’t just possible—it’s essential.”
Leaders from participating countries saw the value firsthand. Dr. Mariela Marín, Vice Minister of Health for Costa Rica, said the exercise was a real-world test of coordination, demonstrating how seamless teamwork between agencies can make a critical difference during a crisis. Dr. Soha Albayat from Qatar emphasized the importance of building trust ahead of time. “We’re no longer just reacting—we’re planning proactively and aligning our responses across borders,” she said.
Dr. Mike Ryan, head of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, called the Global Health Emergency Corps a game-changer. “Polaris showed what can happen when countries act quickly and in unison, supported by well-connected partners. It’s a clear sign that we’re more prepared than ever.”
In a world where global cooperation can sometimes feel uncertain, and health preparedness is often viewed as a local issue, Exercise Polaris delivered a powerful message: health emergencies don’t respect borders. This simulation proved that when the world comes together, it becomes far stronger.
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