This guidance provides diagnostic tools to support countries in evaluating their readiness to respond to emergencies more efficiently. It outlines a streamlined, scalable and adaptable approach to evaluating a government’s core, cross-sectoral EP&R capacities in resource- and time-constrained settings. It enables teams to deliver actionable insights quickly, prioritizing recommendations to strengthen preparedness even in the
absence of a full diagnostic. This approach includes flexible engagement options, from desk reviews and remote consultations to simulation-based exercises that test coordination and decision-making under crisis conditions. It also emphasizes that collaboration across sectors — such as health, governance, and social protection — is essential for coordinated crisis planning and effective response.