List of WHO regions

List of WHO Regions

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO was established on 7 April 1948. Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization is divided into regions, each with its own regional office. These regions are a fundamental aspect of WHO's structure, allowing for a more localized approach to public health issues. This article provides an overview of the WHO regions, including their respective countries and territories.

WHO Regions[edit | edit source]

The World Health Organization divides the world into six regions, each with its own regional office. These regions are:

African Region (AFRO)[edit | edit source]

The African Region covers the majority of the African continent. It is one of the largest WHO regions in terms of the number of countries. The regional office for Africa is located in Brazzaville, Congo.

Region of the Americas (PAHO)[edit | edit source]

The Region of the Americas, also known as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), includes countries in North, South, and Central America, as well as the Caribbean. The regional office is in Washington, D.C., United States.

South-East Asia Region (SEARO)[edit | edit source]

The South-East Asia Region includes countries located on the Indian subcontinent and nearby areas. The regional office for South-East Asia is in New Delhi, India.

European Region (EURO)[edit | edit source]

The European Region encompasses countries in Europe, as well as Israel. The regional office for Europe is in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO)[edit | edit source]

The Eastern Mediterranean Region includes countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa. The regional office is in Cairo, Egypt.

Western Pacific Region (WPRO)[edit | edit source]

The Western Pacific Region covers countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific. The regional office for the Western Pacific is in Manila, Philippines.

Purpose and Activities[edit | edit source]

Each WHO region works towards the organization's overarching goal of building a better, healthier future for people all over the world. They do this by monitoring public health risks, promoting health and well-being, and coordinating responses to health emergencies. Regional offices play a crucial role in tailoring WHO's global initiatives to fit the specific needs of their respective regions.

Challenges and Criticisms[edit | edit source]

While the regional structure allows for a more localized approach to health issues, it has also faced criticism. Challenges include disparities in health conditions and resources among countries within the same region, as well as differences in the effectiveness of regional offices.

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