On this page you can find information and guidance on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, which was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020.

For more information, visit World Health Organization's coronavirus web page.

The IASC Principals, supported by the IASC's Emergency Directors Group, are meeting regularly to assess the situation and determine necessary actions to ensure the continued provision of life-saving protection and assistance to the most vulnerable populations. This is prioritized while ensuring that duty of care measures are in place for staff.

The IASC Principals are prioritizing the release of critical guidance to support its members and the broader humanitarian community in their ability to continue to deliver humanitarian assistance during a COVID-19 outbreak.

At the same time, Global Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for the COVID-19 Pandemic is under development. The Global HRP aims at addressing the additional needs from the COVID-19 pandemic while sustaining the ongoing humanitarian operations and life-saving programmes. This is essential to avoid further loss of lives and suffering, and the aggravation of affected people’s vulnerabilities. The Global HRP will be launched shortly.

Five interim guidance documents have been developed jointly by a number of the IASC members and/or IASC Reference Groups:

1. Interim Guidance on Scaling-up COVID-19 Outbreak in Readiness and Response Operations in Camps and Camp-like Settings (jointly developed by IFRC, IOM, UNHCR and WHO);

2. Interim Briefing Note Addressing Mental Health and Psychosocial Aspects of COVID-19 Outbreak (developed by the IASC’s Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support)

3. Interim Recommendations for Adjusting Food Distribution Standard Operating Procedures in the Context of the COVID-19 Outbreak (developed by WFP)

4. Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Schools (jointly developed by IFRC, UNICEF, and WHO)

5. Interim Guidance on COVID-19: Focus on Persons Deprived of their Liberty (developed by OHCHR and WHO)