News

World unprepared for future pandemics: Global Health Security Index 2021

Published

4 years ago

2021/12/10

The world remains unprepared for future epidemic and pandemic threats. Countries across all income levels remain dangerously unprepared to meet future epidemic and pandemic threats, according to the new 2021 Global Health Security (GHS) Index released December 8, 2021.

The world’s overall performance on the GHS Index score slipped to 38.9 (out of 100) in 2021, from a score of 40.2 in the GHS Index, 2019.

This, even as infectious diseases are expected to have the greatest impact on the global economy in the next decade.

Some 101 countries high-, middle- and low-income countries, including India, have slipped in performance since 2019.

In South Asia, India, with a score of 42.8 (out of 100) too, has slipped by 0.8 points since 2019. But three neighbouring countries — Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives — have improved their score by 1-1.2 points

In 2021, no country scored in the top tier of rankings and no country scored above 75.9, the report showed.

The document was jointly released by non-profits Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

All countries had insufficient health capacities. This left the world acutely vulnerable to future health emergencies, according to the Index that measured the capacities of 195 countries to prepare for epidemics and pandemics

Sixty-five per cent of assessed countries had not published and implemented an overarching national public health emergency response plan for diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential.

Seventy-three per cent countries did not have the ability to provide expedited approval for medical countermeasures, such as vaccines and antiviral drugs, during a public health emergency.

Thus, the world was acutely vulnerable to health emergencies in the future. These included pandemics that could be much more devastating than the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the second edition of the GHS Index, said.

The findings of the GHS Index 2021 are based on a revised framework and updated data collection conducted between August 2020 and June 2021.

It has assessed countries across six categories, 37 indicators and 171 questions, using instantly available information.

Most countries, including high-income ones, have not made dedicated financial investments in strengthening epidemic or pandemic preparedness, according to the GHS Index 2021.

Close to 79 per cent of the 195 countries assessed had not allocated national funds within the past three years to improve their capacity to address epidemic threats, it found.

In fact, just two low-income countries have allocated funds. Some 90 countries have not fulfilled their full financial contribution to the World Health Organization. Fourteen of these are high-income countries.

Just one-fourth of the countries considered in the Index have published an updated health workforce strategy over the past five years to address the shortage of health work force.

Health emergencies demand a robust public health infrastructure with effective governance. But the trust in government, which has been a key factor associated with success in countries’ responses to COVID-19, is low and decreasing, the index noted.

A whopping 82 per cent of countries have low to moderate levels of public confidence in their government, according to the Index.

The world’s performance on communicating the risk communication messages to people has also been very disappointing.

Over 71 per cent of the countries did not identify how risk communication messages would reach populations and sectors with different communication needs related to language, location and media reach.

– Down to Earth

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Our goal is to build a “Thriving Nation” where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity – PM

Published

24 mins ago

2026/03/8

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarsooriya in her message on International Women’s Day 2026 says that the governments goal is to build a Thriving Nation where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity.

The PM’s message:

“I extend my greetings to all sisters and daughters in Sri Lanka and around the globe on the occasion of International Women’s Day.This year, the United Nations has declared the global theme for International Women’s Day as “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” emphasizing the realization of rights, the delivery of justice, and meaningful action for all women and girls.

Women are the true pillar of Sri Lankan society and economy. The role they play within the family and in society has today become a decisive factor in shaping the future of our nation. Through the Government’s policy statement, “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life,” we envision going beyond treating women as mere beneficiaries and recognizing them as active partners in national development, ensuring that they receive the dignity and opportunities they rightfully deserve.

Within our policy framework, special focus has been placed on women. We are committed to recognizing the economic contribution extended by women as housewives, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and expanding access to the technical and financial support necessary for self-employment alongside strengthening the legal framework required to ensure women’s safety in public transport, workplaces, and within the family environment. Further, we are taking steps to create the environment to increase women’s representation in decision-making bodies at national and regional levels. Special attention is also being given to implementing targeted programmes aimed at improving women’s nutrition, reproductive health, and mental well-being.

Women are not a group seeking sympathy; they are vital social partners endowed with intelligence, resilience, and creativity. Our goal is to build a “Thriving Nation” where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity

On this International Women’s Day, I sincerely hope that it marks the beginning of a new era in which the aspirations of all women in our country are realized as they shine before the world.

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Sabaragamuwa, North-western and North-central provinces and in Colombo, Gampaha, Vavuniya, Mannar, Hambantota and Monaragala districts

Published

52 mins ago

2026/03/8

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. on 07 March 2026, valid for 08 March 2026.

Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, North-western and North-central provinces and in Colombo, Gampaha, Vavuniya, Mannar, Hambantota and Monaragala districts

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Lanka tea industry may lose $ 10-15 mn per week from ME war

Published

1 hour ago

2026/03/8

Thilina Walpola

The ongoing military conflict in the Middle East has adversely impacted on the Sri Lankan tea industry as the exporters are unable to supply tea to the region. The exporters estimate the revenue loss at about $ 10-15 million per week. The exporters have orders in hand for supply of tea and it is the logistical issues and war risk preventing them fulfilling such orders, the Tea Exporters Association (TEA) said in a statement.

“In order to mitigate the impact on the industry, the tea industry has jointly requested the government to support it in addressing the cash flow issue and consider absorbing a part of the additional freight and insurance charges. It has also requested government intervention to obtain the balance payment of about $ 50 million due on tea shipments already made to Iran under the barter deal,” TEA said on Friday.

The statement said approximately 52% of Sri Lanka’s tea exports reach the affected region mainly coming from the low grown area of the country dominated by tea smallholder farmers. According to 2025 tea export statistics, about 125 million kilograms of Ceylon tea were exported to the Middle East, with an estimated value of USD 750 million. The major importing countries of Ceylon Tea in the region include Iraq, Iran, Libya, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. Though Libya and Turkey can be reached via Africa, the exorbitant freight charges have prevented the buyers in those countries from importing tea at the moment.

The supply routes to Middle East countries go via Strait of Hormuz and Red sea Suez Canal. Although there is no blockade on Suez Canal, due to the war risk both channels are currently not used by the major shipping lines. The tea exports to the region have almost come to a standstill due to the following reasons:

=All major shipping lines suspended their services to the region immediately after the outbreak of the conflict.

=Several seaports in the region were temporarily closed during the initial stages.

= Although a few shipping lines resumed limited operations from March 4, freight charges have

increased significantly by approximately USD 1,800 for a 20’ container and USD 3,000 for a 40’ container.

= Existing insurance coverage obtained by exporters is no longer valid.

=There is a lack of regular and scheduled vessels operating from Colombo to Middle Eastern destinations.

The tea exporters are experiencing serious cash flow constraints, as payments for shipments already

dispatched have been delayed due to the unsettled situation in the region. This has restricted exporters’

buying capacity and that was evident at this week’s tea auction, where overall prices declined by about Rs. 50/ per kg while low grown tea prices declined by about Rs. 75/ per kg.

If the situation continues for few more weeks it will have a serious impact on the tea auction as buyers may curtail the purchase of tea if the outward movements are restricted. This could directly impact on the income of the tea smallholder farmers.

In January 2026, the country earned $ 121.8 million from tea exports compared to $ 112.7 million in January 2025 (a 5% increase). The figures for February 2026 are not yet available but should be either similar to last year or higher. The disruption to tea exports in March will certainly affect the volume and value of the exports though the exact amounts cannot be estimated at this point.

According to the available data Sri Lanka has settled about 95% of its debt to Iran by supplying tea to Iran under the Tea for Oil mechanism. Even if the military conflict comes to an end, Sri Lanka will find it difficult to continue to supply tea to Iran unless a new mechanism is introduced. Under the prevailing US sanctions on Iran, the exporters may not be able to supply tea to Iran outside the barter system. Iran purchases about 11 million kg of tea from Sri Lanka annually under the barter deal.

The situation was discussed with the Minister of Plantation & Community Infrastructure at a meeting held on March 4, 2026.