The role and importance of the European Union and the WHO (World Health Organization) in ensuring social safety during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose of the study: The object of the analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures taken by international organizations in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and thus to assess the effectiveness in ensuring public security. Two very important organizations were chosen for the analysis – the European Union, whose competences resulting from treaty provisions do not directly concern health, and in contrast – the World Health Organization (WHO), which was established to promote, ensure, and protect health. Methodology: The paper was prepared based on critical analysis of literature and the uncontrolled observation method. Main findings: The methods, forms of action and measures adopted to combat the pandemic, both by the EU and the WHO, cannot be described as fully effective. This was due to many reasons, different for both organizations, including lack of experience, adequate preparation, response time, information flow, access to vaccines, etc. Nevertheless, both organizations played a very important role. The EU has played and continues to play an integrating role, providing a sense of solidarity in the fight against the pandemic. The WHO, in turn, acts as an authority in the medical field, its guidelines and recommendations are credible to most of the international community. Application of the study: The presented article refers to the issue of security in a crisis situation, which is the COVID-19 pandemic. It implies reflections in such scientific fields as, among others security, healty and psychology. In addition, the study may be relevant to the discussion on strengthening the competences of the EU and WHO. Original/Novelty of the study: The subject matter addressed is very timely, in fact we are all caught up in the problem identified. The fight against the pandemic is still on and the current assessment is probably only a fraction of the research that can be fully presented once the pandemic is over. Therefore, the article may serve as an inspiration to continue deliberations about this topic. Perhaps only the invention of an effective drug, rather than a vaccine for COVID-19, can be declared a battle won.