| Dokumendiregister | Sotsiaalministeerium |
| Viit | 1.4-2/1813-1 |
| Registreeritud | 07.07.2025 |
| Sünkroonitud | 08.07.2025 |
| Liik | Sissetulev kiri |
| Funktsioon | 1.4 EL otsustusprotsess ja rahvusvaheline koostöö |
| Sari | 1.4-2 Rahvusvahelise koostöö korraldamisega seotud kirjavahetus (Arhiiviväärtuslik) |
| Toimik | 1.4-2/2025 |
| Juurdepääsupiirang | Avalik |
| Juurdepääsupiirang | |
| Adressaat | WHO |
| Saabumis/saatmisviis | WHO |
| Vastutaja | Helen Sõber (Sotsiaalministeerium, Kantsleri vastutusvaldkond, Euroopa Liidu ja väliskoostöö osakond) |
| Originaal | Ava uues aknas |
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga. |
To:
National International Health Regulations (IHR) focal points;
Members of the Working Group on Health in Climate Change (HIC) and associated stakeholders;
Members of the European Environment and Health Task Force (EHTF) and associated stakeholders;
Cc:
WHO Representatives and Heads of Country Offices;
WHO Secretariat;
Dear colleagues and partners,
In light of the current escalating health risks posed by extreme heat and wildfires across the WHO European Region, we are pleased to share with you the WHO Guidance and Resources Package for Member States on Heatwaves and Wildfires – 2025.
This comprehensive package, developed by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, is designed to support national and local authorities in strengthening their preparedness, readiness, and response in the health sector. It includes updated technical guidance, public health advice, and operational tools to address the growing impact of climate-related emergencies. We have launched the 2025 #KeepCool campaign with a news story just published on our website, which also links to all of our available heat–health resources: https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/23-06-2025-how-summer-heat-impacts-health-and-how-to--keepcool
We strongly encourage all Member States and partners to review and integrate these materials into national and local planning processes. The health impacts of climate change are intensifying, and proactive, coordinated action is essential to protect vulnerable populations and ensure resilient health systems.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to the WHO Regional Office for Europe for further information or support.
Kind regards,
Nino Sharashidze
On behalf of the EHP Secretariat
---
Кому:
Национальным координаторам по Международным медико-санитарным правилам (ММСП)
Членам и партнерам Рабочей группы по изменению климата и его влиянию на здоровье (HIC)
Членам и партнерам Европейской целевой группы по окружающей среде и здоровью (ЦГОСЗ)
Копия:
представителям ВОЗ и руководителям страновых офисов
Секретариату ВОЗ
Уважаемые коллеги и партнеры,
Ввиду увеличения рисков для здоровья населения, связанных с аномальной жарой и лесными пожарами в Европейском регионе ВОЗ, мы хотели бы представить вашему вниманию руководство и пакет ресурсов ВОЗ, предназначенный для государств-членов на случай периодов аномально жаркой погоды и лесных пожаров 2025 года.
Европейское региональное бюро ВОЗ разработало этот всеобъемлющий пакет ресурсов, чтобы помочь национальным и местным органам власти повысить готовность сектора здравоохранения и способность реагировать на аномальные природные явления. В него входит обновленное техническое руководство, рекомендации по охране здоровья населения и рабочие инструменты для принятия мер в связи с участившимися чрезвычайными ситуациями, вызванными изменением климата. Мы начали кампанию 2025 года #ДержитеГоловуВХолоде, опубликовав на нашем сайте новостную заметку, которая также содержит ссылки на все наши общедоступные информационные материалы о защите здоровья в период аномальной жары: https://www.who.int/europe/ru/news/item/23-06-2025-how-summer-heat-impacts-health-and-how-to--keepcool
Данный пакет ресурсов доступен только на английском языке, но ниже приводятся материалы на русском языке.
Аномальная жара и кампания # ДержитеГоловуВХолоде:
Природные пожары в Европейском регионе ВОЗ: рекомендации по защите здоровья:
https://www.who.int/europe/ru/news/item/12-08-2021-health-advice-wildfires-in-the-who-european-region
Мы настоятельно рекомендуем всем государствам-членам и партнерам ознакомиться с этими материалами и использовать их в процессе планирования действий на национальном и местном уровнях. Изменение климата оказывает все более пагубное воздействие на здоровье человека, в связи с чем предельно важно принимать упреждающие и согласованные меры для защиты уязвимых групп населения и обеспечения устойчивости систем здравоохранения.
Обращайтесь в Европейское региональное бюро ВОЗ, чтобы получить более подробную информацию или дополнительную поддержку.
С уважением,
Nino Sharashidze
От имени Секретариата ЕПОСЗ
---
EHP Secretariat
| Multisectoral Partnerships for Environment and Health (MPE)
WHO Regional Office for Europe | European Centre for Environment and Health | Bonn, Germany
E-mail: [email protected]| Web:
European Environment and Health Process (EHP)
Heatwaves and Wildfires Preparedness, Readiness and Response in the Health Sector
Resources and Guidance Package for Member States
According to WHO European Region data, in 35 countries in the Region, more than 61,000 people died in 2022 and 47,000 in 2023 due to heat. In a modelling study published in Nature Medicine, which covered 854 European cities, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) suggests that climate change will likely result in a significant rise in deaths from heat across Europe, substantially surpassing any decrease in cold-related deaths.
In a recent statement issued on LinkedIn, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, warned that the scorching heat that is sweeping across the WHO European Region right now is putting countless lives at risk, while straining our health systems. Heat, he said: “threatens the people who need protection most: older adults, children, outdoor workers, and anyone living with chronic health conditions.”
In light of the risks to health caused by the current heatwaves and wildfires affecting our Region, the WHO Regional Office for Europe has prepared a resource package outlined below to support Member States preparedness, readiness and response efforts in the health sector.
July 2025 1
1. Public Health Advice
Updated public health advice is available on heat, wildfires and on mass gathering events this summer.
Heat - #KeepCool campaign:
o 2025 #KeepCool information sheet (in 6 languages): https://www.who.int/europe/publications/m/item/health-advice-for-hot-weather
o 2023 #KeepCool information sheet (in 20+ languages): https://who.canto.global/v/V6BJQPBKL4/album/PQCBG
o #KeepCool short videos (in 5 languages): o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2N4vVf5DFE&list=PLL4_zLP7J_mjqWnqvIUSnQ1
3NcSuSDgU3 o Social media tiles (in multiple languages):
https://who.canto.global/v/coronavirus/library?keyword=Keepcool&viewIndex=1
For further information please contact us at [email protected]
Heat – health advice incorporated into public health advice for mass gathering events:
Catholic Jubilee Year of Hope (ongoing until 6 Jan 2026) o Public Health Advice (PHA) on WHO/Europe’s website here o An accompanying news story: Public health advice for visitors attending the Jubilee 2025
in Italy o The Jubilee social media package can be accessed here, with suggested posts. o Editable social media tiles can be found here.
Wildfires:
o Q&A here, RUS here o Editable (ENG) social media assets here o Editable (ENG) brochure template here
For further information please contact us at [email protected]
WHO website content on heat and health:
o A new dedicated public health section on WHO/Europe’s website and specific heat- related advice here and on wildfires here, with public health advice here
o Regional Director statement: The climate crisis is a health crisis – and the European Region is in the hot seat
o Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN): Action Plans. https://ghhin.org/resource-library/
July 2025 2
2. WHO Technical guidance and tools Health-Health Action Planning and evidence on public health impact.
Health-Health Action plans guidance:
o Preventing the health impacts of extreme heat requires a coordinated set of actions across multiple sectors. These include early warning systems, timely public and medical advice, improvements in housing and urban design, and ensuring that health and social care systems are prepared to respond. Such measures can be brought together in a structured Heat–Health Action Plan. This guidance outlines the importance of developing these plans, describes their key features and core elements, and provides examples from European countries that have already begun implementing and evaluating them. https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289071918
Heat and Health in the WHO European Region: updated evidence for effective prevention (2021).
o This publication brings together the latest research on how heat affects our health, drawing from both scientific studies and real-world experiences. It focuses on countries in the WHO European Region and builds on the 2008 heat-health action plan guidance on how to prepare for and respond to extreme heat. While there are still some gaps in what we know, the evidence shared in this document clearly shows that more countries need to develop and expand their heat–health action plans. https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289055406
Public health advice on preventing health effects of heat: new and updated information for different audiences (2011).
o This publication offers detailed information for various target audiences, and on medical advice and treatment practices. https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2011-2510-42266-58691
Improving public health responses to extreme weather/heatwaves: Summary for policymakers (2009).
o https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/107934/WHO-EURO-2009-8607-48379- 71825-eng.pdf?sequence=3
For further information please contact us at [email protected]
July 2025 3
2. WHO Technical guidance and tools Health System and Facility Preparedness
Health system readiness checklist for heatwaves
o It provides a clear, step-by-step guide to ensure all critical areas of a health system - coordination → risk detection → public health response → resilience and adaptation - are addressed before a heatwave occurs. Available upon request.
Hospital safety index: guide for evaluators, 2nd ed. + hospital safety index evaluation forms (2015).
o An all-hazards tool which is used to assess the overall safety and emergency preparedness of a hospital. Hospital safety index: guide for evaluators
Hospital Emergency Response Planning (H-ERP) Guidance
o This guide has been developed by the WHO Regional Office for Europe to assist Member States and hospitals to develop, update, or adapt their hospital emergency response plans (H-ERPs). Available upon request.
WHO guidance for climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health facilities (2020).
o The aim of this guidance is to enhance the capacity of health care facilities to protect and improve the health of their target communities in an unstable and changing climate WHO guidance for climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health care facilities
Checklists to assess vulnerabilities in health-care facilities in the context of climate change (2011).
o Designed as a complementary tool to the WHO Guidance for climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health-care facilities, the primary purpose of this checklist document is to support users in establishing a baseline with regards to climate change resilience in health-care facilities. Checklists to assess vulnerabilities in health care facilities in the context of climate change
Building climate resilient WASH services in health-care facilities (2024).
o https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/376126
For further information please contact us at [email protected]
July 2025 4
Response
Guidance and support for operational response to heatwaves and wildfires.
o Standards and recommendations for burns care in mass casualty incidents Standards and recommendations for burns care in mass casualty incidents
o Mental Health and Psychological Support during health emergencies and disasters MHPSS Interventions
o Emergency Medical Teams EMT blue book o WHO Emergency Response Framework, Emergency response framework (ERF), Edition
2.1
For further information please contact us at [email protected]
o Associated Press: Europe swelters under scorching temperatures as regions issue heat alerts
o Politico interview with Marisol Yglesias González, Technical Officer for Climate change and Health: Lethal heat is Europe’s new climate reality
For further information please contact us at [email protected]
3. Useful media articles
July 2025 5
4. WHO/Europe coordination For further information or support regarding preparedness, readiness, and response to heatwaves and wildfires in the health sector, please contact:
Preparedness, Readiness and Public Health Advice
For inquiries related to technical guidance on preparedness, readiness and public health advice.
Country Health Emergency Preparedness and International Health Regulations
Acute Public Health Events
For reporting and inquiries related to acute public health signals and events in the European Region.
WHO Europe Regional IHR focal point
Emergency Response and Coordination
For matters related to emergency response and coordination.
WHO Europe Emergency Operations Center
Climate change and health
For technical questions on climate change (including heat) and its impacts on health, and the #KeepCool campaign.
WHO European Centre for Environment and Health
Media requests WHO Europe Press Office
Heatwaves and Wildfires Preparedness, Readiness and Response in the Health Sector
Resources and Guidance Package for Member States
According to WHO European Region data, in 35 countries in the Region, more than 61,000 people died in 2022 and 47,000 in 2023 due to heat. In a modelling study published in Nature Medicine, which covered 854 European cities, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) suggests that climate change will likely result in a significant rise in deaths from heat across Europe, substantially surpassing any decrease in cold-related deaths.
In a recent statement issued on LinkedIn, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, warned that the scorching heat that is sweeping across the WHO European Region right now is putting countless lives at risk, while straining our health systems. Heat, he said: “threatens the people who need protection most: older adults, children, outdoor workers, and anyone living with chronic health conditions.”
In light of the risks to health caused by the current heatwaves and wildfires affecting our Region, the WHO Regional Office for Europe has prepared a resource package outlined below to support Member States preparedness, readiness and response efforts in the health sector.
July 2025 1
1. Public Health Advice
Updated public health advice is available on heat, wildfires and on mass gathering events this summer.
Heat - #KeepCool campaign:
o 2025 #KeepCool information sheet (in 6 languages): https://www.who.int/europe/publications/m/item/health-advice-for-hot-weather
o 2023 #KeepCool information sheet (in 20+ languages): https://who.canto.global/v/V6BJQPBKL4/album/PQCBG
o #KeepCool short videos (in 5 languages): o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2N4vVf5DFE&list=PLL4_zLP7J_mjqWnqvIUSnQ1
3NcSuSDgU3 o Social media tiles (in multiple languages):
https://who.canto.global/v/coronavirus/library?keyword=Keepcool&viewIndex=1
For further information please contact us at [email protected]
Heat – health advice incorporated into public health advice for mass gathering events:
Catholic Jubilee Year of Hope (ongoing until 6 Jan 2026) o Public Health Advice (PHA) on WHO/Europe’s website here o An accompanying news story: Public health advice for visitors attending the Jubilee 2025
in Italy o The Jubilee social media package can be accessed here, with suggested posts. o Editable social media tiles can be found here.
Wildfires:
o Q&A here, RUS here o Editable (ENG) social media assets here o Editable (ENG) brochure template here
For further information please contact us at [email protected]
WHO website content on heat and health:
o A new dedicated public health section on WHO/Europe’s website and specific heat- related advice here and on wildfires here, with public health advice here
o Regional Director statement: The climate crisis is a health crisis – and the European Region is in the hot seat
o Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN): Action Plans. https://ghhin.org/resource-library/
July 2025 2
2. WHO Technical guidance and tools Health-Health Action Planning and evidence on public health impact.
Health-Health Action plans guidance:
o Preventing the health impacts of extreme heat requires a coordinated set of actions across multiple sectors. These include early warning systems, timely public and medical advice, improvements in housing and urban design, and ensuring that health and social care systems are prepared to respond. Such measures can be brought together in a structured Heat–Health Action Plan. This guidance outlines the importance of developing these plans, describes their key features and core elements, and provides examples from European countries that have already begun implementing and evaluating them. https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289071918
Heat and Health in the WHO European Region: updated evidence for effective prevention (2021).
o This publication brings together the latest research on how heat affects our health, drawing from both scientific studies and real-world experiences. It focuses on countries in the WHO European Region and builds on the 2008 heat-health action plan guidance on how to prepare for and respond to extreme heat. While there are still some gaps in what we know, the evidence shared in this document clearly shows that more countries need to develop and expand their heat–health action plans. https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289055406
Public health advice on preventing health effects of heat: new and updated information for different audiences (2011).
o This publication offers detailed information for various target audiences, and on medical advice and treatment practices. https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2011-2510-42266-58691
Improving public health responses to extreme weather/heatwaves: Summary for policymakers (2009).
o https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/107934/WHO-EURO-2009-8607-48379- 71825-eng.pdf?sequence=3
For further information please contact us at [email protected]
July 2025 3
2. WHO Technical guidance and tools Health System and Facility Preparedness
Health system readiness checklist for heatwaves
o It provides a clear, step-by-step guide to ensure all critical areas of a health system - coordination → risk detection → public health response → resilience and adaptation - are addressed before a heatwave occurs. Available upon request.
Hospital safety index: guide for evaluators, 2nd ed. + hospital safety index evaluation forms (2015).
o An all-hazards tool which is used to assess the overall safety and emergency preparedness of a hospital. Hospital safety index: guide for evaluators
Hospital Emergency Response Planning (H-ERP) Guidance
o This guide has been developed by the WHO Regional Office for Europe to assist Member States and hospitals to develop, update, or adapt their hospital emergency response plans (H-ERPs). Available upon request.
WHO guidance for climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health facilities (2020).
o The aim of this guidance is to enhance the capacity of health care facilities to protect and improve the health of their target communities in an unstable and changing climate WHO guidance for climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health care facilities
Checklists to assess vulnerabilities in health-care facilities in the context of climate change (2011).
o Designed as a complementary tool to the WHO Guidance for climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health-care facilities, the primary purpose of this checklist document is to support users in establishing a baseline with regards to climate change resilience in health-care facilities. Checklists to assess vulnerabilities in health care facilities in the context of climate change
Building climate resilient WASH services in health-care facilities (2024).
o https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/376126
For further information please contact us at [email protected]
July 2025 4
Response
Guidance and support for operational response to heatwaves and wildfires.
o Standards and recommendations for burns care in mass casualty incidents Standards and recommendations for burns care in mass casualty incidents
o Mental Health and Psychological Support during health emergencies and disasters MHPSS Interventions
o Emergency Medical Teams EMT blue book o WHO Emergency Response Framework, Emergency response framework (ERF), Edition
2.1
For further information please contact us at [email protected]
o Associated Press: Europe swelters under scorching temperatures as regions issue heat alerts
o Politico interview with Marisol Yglesias González, Technical Officer for Climate change and Health: Lethal heat is Europe’s new climate reality
For further information please contact us at [email protected]
3. Useful media articles
July 2025 5
4. WHO/Europe coordination For further information or support regarding preparedness, readiness, and response to heatwaves and wildfires in the health sector, please contact:
Preparedness, Readiness and Public Health Advice
For inquiries related to technical guidance on preparedness, readiness and public health advice.
Country Health Emergency Preparedness and International Health Regulations
Acute Public Health Events
For reporting and inquiries related to acute public health signals and events in the European Region.
WHO Europe Regional IHR focal point
Emergency Response and Coordination
For matters related to emergency response and coordination.
WHO Europe Emergency Operations Center
Climate change and health
For technical questions on climate change (including heat) and its impacts on health, and the #KeepCool campaign.
WHO European Centre for Environment and Health
Media requests WHO Europe Press Office