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The impact of COVID-19 on indigenous peoples in Latin America (Abya Yala): between invisibility and collective resistance

United Nations publication (2021) C2

The health and socioeconomic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the countries of Latin America hard and laid bare the profound inequities about which numerous international, regional and national reports have sounded warnings in recent decades. In this context, the historical politica... more

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Banking on health: the surging pandemic of health financialization

Dentico N. Society for International Development (SID) (2023) CC

In the last three decades, health financialization has surged in several creative ways, yet this growing phenomenon remains surprisingly unknown, and neglected, in the global health arena. Financialization in the health domain could be described as the uncontrolled expansion of finance along vari... more

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The African Union´s challenges - Central Africa Republic

International Crisis Group International Crisis Group (2019)

4. Central African Republic Clashes throughout 2018 in the capital Bangui and a number of major towns illustrate the deadly threat posed by armed groups – a mix of pro-government militias, ex-rebels, bandits and local “self-defence” units – that control much of the countr... more

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Supporting Transition by Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition among the Most Vulnerable: Standard Project Report 2017

World Food Programme (WFP) (2017) C1

In view of the ongoing political, peace and reconciliation, administrative and economic reforms as well as plans to establish the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) in 2018, WFP extended the current Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO 200299), launched in January 2.... To echo this extension and provide a more appropriate response to the country's rapid and multi-pronged transition, WFP adopted a transition strategy with gradually reduced emphasis on humanitarian assistance and greater focus on early recovery and development interventions. WFP's strategic engagement in-country was driven by the overarching goal to assist Myanmar to achieve the national Zero Hunger Challenge by 2025, and was guided by three priorities: emergency preparedness and response; nutrition; and provision of social safety nets. more

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Situational Brief: Impact of Covid-19 on forcibly displaced persons inside Syria

Marzouk M., Rayes D., Y. Douedari et al. Lancet Migration (2020) CC

Over nine years of protracted and violent conflict in Syria has decimated its health system,killed an estimated 586,000 people and forcibly displaced more than half the 22 million pre-war population from their homes. As of June 2020, a total of 6.2 million Syrians (of whom 40% are children) are inte... more

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International assistance for victims of use of nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical weapons: time for a reality check?

Coupland R, Loye D International Review of the Red Cross (2009) C2

The risks of the use of nuclear, radiological, biological or chemical (NRBC) weapons are heterogeneous. Each risk has its own implications for developing and deploying any capacity to assist victims of an NRBC event and, in parallel, for the health and security of the people bringing this assistance... more

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Training Guide: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IFRC (2024) CC

This MHPSS in Emergencies training aims to prepare MHPSS responders, disaster managers, and emergency team leaders for work in the field by building understanding of basic concepts of MHPSS in emergencies as well as planning and implementing PSS activities. It is for MHPSS focal points from the Red ... more

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Africa’s Health Financing in a New Era

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) (2025) CC

Africa’s health sector is facing an unprecedented financing crisis, driven by a sharp decline of 70% in Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 2021 to 2025 and deep-rooted structural vulnerabilities. This collapse is placing immense pressure on Africa’s already fragile health systems as ODA ...is seen as the backbone of critical health programs: pandemic preparedness, maternal and child health services, disease control programs are all at risk, threatening Sustainable Development Goal 3 and Universal Health Coverage. Compounding this is Africa’s spiraling debt, with countries expected to service USD 81 billion by 2025—surpassing anticipated external financing inflows—further eroding fiscal space for health investments. Level of domestic resources is low. TThe Abuja Declaration of 2001, a pivotal commitment made by African Union (AU) member states, aimed to reverse this trend by pledging to allocate at least 15% of national budgets to the health sector. However, more than two decades later, only three countries—Rwanda, Botswana, and Cabo Verde—have consistently met or exceeded this target (WHO, 2023). In contrast, over 30 AU member states remain well below the 10% benchmark, with some allocating as little as 5–7% of their national budgets to health. In addition, only 16 (29%) of African countries currently have updated versions of National Health Development Plan (NHDP) supported by a National Health Financing Plan (NHFP). These two documents play a critical role in driving internal resource mobilisation. At the same time, public health emergencies are surging, rising 41%—from 152 in 2022 to 213 in 2024—exposing severe under-resourcing of health infrastructure and workforce. Recurring outbreaks (Mpox, Ebola, cholera, measles, Marburg…) alongside effects of climate change and humanitarian crises in Eastern DRC, the Sahel, and Sudan, are overwhelming systems stretched by chronic underfunding. The situation is worsened by Africa’s heavy dependency with over 90% of vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics being externally sourced—leaving countries vulnerable to global supply chain shocks. Health worker shortages persist, with only 2.3 professionals per 1,000 people (below the WHO’s recommended 4.45), and fewer than 30% of systems are digitized, undermining disease surveillance and early warning. Without decisive action, Africa CDC projects the continent could reverse two decades of health progress, face 2 to 4 million additional preventable deaths annually, and a heightened risk of a pandemic emerging from within. Furthermore, 39 million more Africans could be pushed into poverty by 2030 due to intertwined health and economic shocks. This is not just a sectoral crisis—it is an existential threat to Africa’s political, social, and economic resilience, and global stability. In response, African leaders, under Africa CDC’s stewardship, are advancing a comprehensive three-pillar strategy centered on domestic resource mobilization, innovative financing, and blended finance. more

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An outbreak of Ebola in the DRC has been contained. What went right this time?

Eric Osoro (2017) C1

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INEE Minimum Standards Handbooks

Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (2010) CC

This resource presents "the minimum level of educational quality and access in emergencies through to recovery. The aim of the handbook is to enhance the quality of educational preparedness, response and recovery; to increase access to safe and relevant learning opportunities for all learners, regar... more

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Safe Distributions: Guidelines for Reducing Protection Risks in in-kind Distributions

UNHCR (2020) CC

Distributing immediate, lifesaving assistance is one of the most urgent actions in an emergency response and can significantly improve the safety and wellbeing of individuals. Non-Food Items (NFI), Food Security, WASH and Shelter in-kind assistance actors can help reduce and mitigate pr... more

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Communicable diseases following natural disasters
recommended

World Health Organization (2006) C_WHO

Risk assessment and priority interventions

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Sexual and Reproductive Health During Protracted Crises and Recovery

WHO, UNFPA, and Escuela Andaluza de Salud Publica Consejeria de Salud (2011)

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Good practice framework for mental health and wellbeing in first responder organisations

Beyond Blue; Heads Up (2019) C2

Accessed April 2019

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Psychological first aid: Guide for field workers
recommended

Snider, L.; Van Ommeren, M.; Schafer, A. World Health Organization (WHO) (2011) C_WHO

When terrible things happen in our communities, countries and the world, we want to reach out a helping hand to those who are affected. This guide covers psychological first aid which involves humane, supportive and practical help to fellow human beings suffering serious crisis events. It is writt... more

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Emergency medical teams: minimum technical standards and recommendations for rehabilitation

World Health Organization WHO; Handicap International, CBM; et al. (2016) C_WHO

his document, a first of its kind, clearly sets out the standards for rehabilitation and provides guidance on building or strengthening the capacity of EMTs in this area.The importance of early rehabilitation for functional outcomes is well documented. Rehabilitation needs can pe... more

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Step-By-Step Guide to Shelter Construction

Isaac Boyd, Kirtimayi Mishra, and Cassie Dummett Catholic Relief Services (2013)

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UNHCR Weekly Emergency Update - Ituri and North Kivu Provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo - 1 October – 7 October 2019

UN High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR (2019) C1

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Psychological first aid: Facilitator’s manual for orienting field workers
recommended

Leslie Snider, Alison Schafer, Mark van Ommeren et al. World Health Organization WHO (2013) C_WHO

This manual is designed to orient helpers to offer psychologicalfirst aid (PFA) to people following a serious crisis event. PFA involves humane, supportive and practical assistance for people who are distressed, in ways that respect their dignity, culture and abilities. PFA is an approach that can b... more

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Venezuela: Calculated repression: Correlation between stigmatization and politically motivated arbitrary detentions

Amnesty International (2022) C1

The policy of repression in Venezuela has been based on the coordination of attacks and stigmatizing messages broadcast by media with links to Nicolás Maduro’s government and politically motivated arbitrary arrests by the security forces under his command, with a marked pattern of political discr... more

Communicable diseases following natural disasters recommended

Psychological first aid: Guide for field workers recommended

Psychological first aid: Facilitator’s manual for orienting field workers recommended

Communicable diseases following natural disasters
recommended

Psychological first aid: Guide for field workers
recommended

Psychological first aid: Facilitator’s manual for orienting field workers
recommended