About PHOENIX
Countries across the Indo-Pacific continue to face a growing range of public health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks, climate-related health risks, natural disasters, and other complex events that place pressure on health systems and essential services. These challenges highlight the importance of strengthening existing systems at all levels of the health sector so that countries can prepare for, manage and respond effectively to health emergencies.
As part of the Australian Government's Partnerships for a Health Region (PHR) initiative, PHOENIX contributes to regional efforts to strengthen countries’ ability to anticipate, prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies, while also promoting more equitable and inclusive approaches to preparedness and response efforts.
PHOENIX aligns with key global and regional frameworks that guide health emergency preparedness and health security efforts, including the International Health Regulations (2005) and WHO’s Global Health Emergency Corps and Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework. Together, these frameworks reinforce the importance of integrated systems that connect preparedness, readiness, response, and recovery through coordinated and collaborative approaches.
PHOENIX strengthens public health emergency preparedness and response capacity across the Indo-Pacific by supporting workforce, partnerships and systems required to translate preparedness into action. The program focuses on:
1. Health systems strengthening
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- Coordination and leadership
- Public health emergency workforce capability
- Tailored system-strengthening activities aligned to country needs
2. Regional and country collaboration
3. Inclusive, equitable and climate-conscious emergency preparedness approaches
This work will be delivered through:
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- Education and training
- Building communities of practice
- Mentorship
- Provision of technical support
- Partnering with national and regional organisations
Where we work
PHOENIX complements other regional and global initiatives by focusing on the practical and operational dimensions of public health emergency preparedness and response. Its added value lies in supporting the systems, people and partnerships needed to respond effectively when emergencies occur.