The framework comprises four complementary components as following:

·         IHR (2005) Annual Reporting to the World Health Assembly

-          The purpose of the annual IHR monitoring framework questionnaire[1] is to support States Parties and the WHO Secretariat in fulfilling their obligation to report annually to the WHA on the implementation of the IHR at national, intermediate and community/primary response levels. This obligation is in accordance with the requirements for core capacity development in Annex 1 of the IHR, and also contributes to Article 54. Although 2016 was the deadline for developing, strengthening and maintaining the capacity to detect, assess, notify and report events in accordance with Article 5, WHO will continue to collect information from States Parties on a yearly basis.

·         After Action Review (AAR)

-          The functionality of national capacities is best demonstrated through how the national emergency management system handles a real public health event. An after action review (AAR) is a qualitative review of these actions taken to respond to an acute public health event in order to identify best practises and challenges. They seek to identify what worked well, what did not work during the response and aims to identify the actions needed to improve capacities to prepare, detect and respond to future acute public health events.

·         Simulation Exercises (SimEx)

-          Simulation exercises are used to develop, assess and test functional capabilities of emergency systems, procedures and/or mechanisms that respond to outbreaks and public health emergencies. They are used to test preparedness and response capacity comprehensively at all levels (community, national, regional and global) to identify gaps and enhance preparedness of IHR capacities before an emergency occurs.

·         Joint external evaluation (JEE).

-          The purpose of the joint external evaluation is to measure country specific status and progress in achieving the targets set by the IHR. The JEE helps countries to identify their most critical gaps and prioritize opportunities for enhanced preparedness and response. It also helps them engage with current and prospective technical and financial partners in order to mobilise resources.

For these four components, a multi-sectoral (One Health) approach is promoted. WHO actively works with other international organisations such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) or the International Atomic Emergency Agency (IAEA) to ensure the involvement of other sectors in the Framework.

[1] http://www.who.int/ihr/publications/WHO-HSE-GCR-2016.16/en/