Recent WHO simulation exercises

Exercise control room during SAPHIRE 2025. Credit: WHO.

Last year the World Health Organization held a series of three regional simulation exercises to develop the capacity of National Focal Points (NFPs) in partner countries to detect, report, and respond to public health threats with international impact in an effective and coordinated manner.

• SAPHIRE 2025 was held in July, via email and a virtual debrief, and involved more than 190 experts from ten countries from across Southeast Asia It simulated a potential public health emergency of international concern arising from a food safety threat.
• JADE 2025, held in November, brought together 41 countries in the WHO’s European region. The scenario involved a during a simulated chemical event, and involved chemical safety, environmental, civil protection, and laboratory partners to review mechanisms for communication, coordination, and requesting support from the WHO and other international partners.
• CRYSTAL 2025 was conducted in December 2025 and brought together 31 countries from across the WHO Western Pacific region to rehearse their readiness for a fictional novel respiratory pandemic. The scenario had a strong emphasis on operations at points of entry, bringing health, animal health, border authorities, risk communications and other sectors together.

According to the WHO:

Together, SAPHIRE, JADE and CRYSTAL 2025 Exercises demonstrate the value of regular, realistic simulation exercises in strengthening the global health security system. By testing communication systems, refining coordination across multiple sectors, and reinforcing the responsibilities of National IHR Focal Points, these exercises help ensure countries are better prepared, better connected and more resilient when real emergencies arise.

This video provides more information on how the WHO uses simulation exercises to support health response:

To assist partners in conducting the appropriate sort of exercise, the WHO has developed an exercise decision tree and overview table, as well as other resources.