A Culture of Readiness and Local Agency: MSH’s Position on Pandemic Preparedness and Response

Even as it spread to every corner of the world, COVID-19 was first and foremost a local disaster, which played out uniquely in every setting. Many localities—especially those with less experience dealing with public health emergencies—proved unprepared to respond.

The way to break the panic-neglect cycle and foster continuous, sustainable pandemic preparedness and response (PPR) is to build a culture of constant readiness while systematically strengthening local agency, thus equipping local leaders with the capacities and authorities needed to mobilize local resources and take action as soon as a crisis arises.