ICMR-National Institute for Cholera and Enteric Diseases has designated as WHO Collaborating Centre since many years. In 1968, the Cholera Research Centre was given the status of "International Reference Centre for Vibrio Phage Typing" by the WHO following the outstanding studies on cholera phage's in Kolkata and later on, in 1978, it was designated as the "WHO Collaborative Centre for Reference and Research on Vibrios". Since 1980, WHO recognized this Institute as "WHO Collaborative Centre for Research and Training on Diarrhoeal Diseases".

Terms of Reference as WHO collaborating centre :

1. To collect, collate, analyse data and disseminate information to develop cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases control plan on request from WHO.
2. To strengthen international capacity building for cholera and other diarrhoeal disease preparedness by organizing workshops in response to WHO request.
3. To participate in Rapid Response Teams for investigations of events (Outbreaks) of cholera and diarrhoeal diseases at the behest of WHO.
4. To support WHO in Vibrio phage typing and characterization.