I just caught a great set of articles in The Economist on the pandemic flu and its costs, with solid reporting on the prep work it takes to adequately confront a budding pandemic (surprise, you can’t show up to the party late). The WHO gets a shout out for its role:
Thankfully, prodding by the WHO and lessons from SARS and avian flu have caused governments to strengthen their disease-surveillance systems, improve communications channels between their health ministries and co-ordinate their stockpiling of drugs.