Healthcare
Public health in crisis-affected populations: a practical guide for decision-maker
The impact of crises on health interventions
Authors:
F. Checchi; M. Gayer; R Freeman Grais
Publisher:
Humanitarian Practice Network, ODI, 2007
Never before has it been clearer what interventions must be implemented to mitigate the adverse health consequences of wars and natural disasters, and what standards those interventions must strive to achieve. Political considerations often obstruct the delivery of appropriate relief. This network paper by the Humanitarian Practice Network, presents a bird’s eye view of the risks to health inherent in crises, and the potential for impact of health interventions. Five crisis conditions, bought about by war, are considered: loss of livelihoods and services, mass internal displacement, displacement into neighbouring host communities, loss of livelihoods due to environmental change and food crises.
The authors focus specifically on infectious diseases and the leading causes of morbidity (disease) and mortality. The brief argues the need for advocacy for timely and appropriate relief, grounded in clearly outlined, scientifically sound reasoning, focusing discussion on substantive matters and reducing the scope for political manipulation. As such, the paper encourages readers to better face up to the political and bureaucratic aspects of the global relief system. It further warns that field practice may often be unsatisfactory because of ‘muddling through’, taking the safest decision given the knowledge available, but failing to consider hidden aspects of the problem from an overarching perspective.
