10. At the onset of all emergencies or verified public health events, WHO ensures that levels of staff and funds applicable to the nature of the emergency are made available to the WHO Country Office, even if it is later realized that less is required, with full support from the Organization and without blame or regret.
20. This policy affirms that it is better to err on the side of over-resourcing critical functions rather than risk failure by under-resourcing.
30. The application of this policy – or in general of any special waivers and exceptions existing for acute emergencies – is based on the judgment of approvers that the operational benefit outweighs the additional risks to the Organization.
40. If requests are not associated with the graded emergency, and the situation does not require the additional speed and efficiency (provided by the emergency provisions), then the transactions are expected to follow normal WHO policies, human resources/financial rules and regulations process.
50. The no regrets policy does not imply a waiver of compliance requirements or operational risk management processes. All expenditures must be documented and justified at the time.
60. The IM is expected, as soon as possible, to plan and put in place processes that ensure transactions can be implemented using normal WHO policy and human resources/financial rules and regulations.
70. With regards to financial resources, this policy provides the head of the WHO office in a country, territory or area or WHO Representative (HWCO/WR) and the Incident Manager with increased authority to authorize and approve expenditure, as defined in the WHO eManual.[1]
80. The related procedures for accountability and documentation remain in place, as described in the emergency SOPs.[2]
90. Immediate access to funds is provided from either the Regional Office’s rapid response accounts or the Contingency Fund for Emergencies. These should be replenished as funds are raised for the emergency.
