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A global brief on vector-borne diseases

World Health Organization (2014) C_WHO

With this World Health Day, WHO is drawing attention to a group of diseases that are spread by insects and other vectors, the heavy health and economic burdens they impose, and what needs to be done to reduce these burdens. Many of these diseases have been historically confined to distinct geographi... more

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A Matter of Life and Death: Tackling Violence against Health Care in Pakistan, Peru and El Salvador

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) (2017) C1

Every day, health-care providers are being attacked, patients discriminated against, ambulances held up at checkpoints, hospitals bombed, medical supplies looted and entire communities cut off from critical services around the world.
Between January 2012 and December 2014, the ICRC documented n... more

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OCHA Policy Brief on Gendered Drivers, Risks and Impacts of Food Insecurity in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2023) CC

It is widely understood that the food insecurity crisis in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa is one of the world’s fastest growing and most neglected crises. It lacks sufficient global focus, resources and urgency. As in so many crises, women and girls are disproportionately affected and shoulder t...he consequences of protracted neglect, with unconscionable impacts on their safety, life chances and agency. Gaining a holistic view of the gendered drivers, risks and impacts of food insecurity in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa is difficult. This is due to a lack of data and prioritization, and the large geographical and socioeconomic terrain covered by both regions. However, what we do know about this crisis is more than enough to urgently address the needs of women and girls. An OCHA discussion paper on this topic (which will be published imminently, and from which this policy brief is drawn) found that there is: A strong risk of profound regression in gender equality gains made to date in the countries of concern, including on education, sexual and reproductive health, and the economic independence of women and girls (with knock-on effects on broader humanitarian and development outcomes). An increasing challenge to reverse what must be recognized as a protracted and growing gender-based violence (GBV) emergency in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. The food insecurity crisis in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa is protracted, multidimensional and highly gendered, with spiralling impacts on gender equality and food security outcomes. It is driven by interwoven and overlapping factors, including climate change, political instability, conflict, socioeconomic conditions, migration and displacement and, more recently, COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. Interlinked with these factors are gendered structural drivers of food insecurity, including deeply entrenched gender inequalities and harmful social norms. Gendered risks and impacts of food insecurity include alarming limitations on access to education, sexual and reproductive health rights, women’s agency and participation, and dramatic increases in different existing forms of GBV and the emergence of new ones. Recognition of such gendered dimensions of food insecurity and of the need for a multisectoral approach in the response is key to addressing the crisis, along-side sustained commitment and adequate allocation of resources. This policy brief draws out key findings from the OCHA discussion paper on this topic, which includes a desk review of studies, assessments and reports, and interviews with local women’s organizations on the front lines of the food insecurity crisis in communities across both regions. Below are the most pressing gendered drivers, risks and impacts of food insecurity (not in order of priority), as well as key gaps in the current humanitarian response to food insecurity, and recommendations to take forward. more

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Humanitarian assistance and protection for people on the move

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IFRC (2021) C1

People on the move – migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and other displaced populations – face extraordinary risks to their lives, safety, dignity, human rights and well-being. In part this is connected to the core reasons that lead to migration and displacement, ranging from violence, persec... more

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National Health Policy: Health lives for all. Revised Edition, January 2020

Ministry of Health Ghana (2020) CC

This National Health Policy has 5 objectives, namely i. To strengthen the healthcare delivery system to be resilient ii. To encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyles iii. To improve the physical environment iv. To improve the socio-economic status of the population v. To ensure sustainable f... more

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WHO Guide to conducting programme reviews for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections

World Health Organization WHO (2023) C_WHO

Sound periodic programme reviews provide opportunities for countries to objectively assess progress and take corrective action to sustain or get back on track towards achieving their medium and long-term programme goals. It reflects people’s diverse needs, enables efficient use of health system re... more

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Beat the heat: Child health amid heatwaves in Europe and Central Asia

UN Children's Fund UNICEF (2024) CC

Beat the heat: child health amid heatwaves in Europe and Central Asia finds that half of these children died from heat-related illnesses in their first year of life. Most children died during the summer months. "Around half of children across Europe and Central Asia – or 92 million children –... are already exposed to frequent heatwaves in a region where temperatures are rising at the fastest rate globally. The increasingly high temperatures can have serious health complications for children, especially the youngest children, even in a short space of time. Without care, these complications can be life-threatening,” said Regina De Dominicis UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia. Heat exposure has acute effects on children, even before they are born, and can result in pre-term births, low birth weight, stillbirth, and congenital anomalies. Heat stress is a direct cause of infant mortality, can affect infant growth and cause a range of paediatric diseases. The report also notes that extreme heat caused the loss of more than 32,000 years of healthy life among children and teenagers in the region. As the temperatures continue to rise, UNICEF urges governments across Europe and Central Asia to: - Integrate strategies to reduce the impact of heatwaves including through National Determined Contributions (NDC), National Adaptation Plans (NAP), and disaster risk reduction and disaster management policies with children at the centre of these plans Invest in heat health action plans and primary health care to more adequately support heat-related illness among children - Invest in early warning systems, including heat alert systems - Adapt education facilities to reduce the temperatures in the areas children play in and equip teachers with skills to respond to heat stress - Adapt urban design and infrastructure including ensuring buildings, particularly those housing the most vulnerable communities are equipped to minimize heat exposure - Secure the provision of safe water, particularly in countries with deteriorating water quality and availability. UNICEF works with governments, partners and communities across the region to build resilience against heatwaves. This includes equipping teachers, community health workers and families with the skills and knowledge to respond to heat stress. more

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Dominican Republic: Zika Virus Outbreak; Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA), DREF Operation n° MDRDO008

International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (2016) C1

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Responding to earthquakes

ALNAP, Provention Consortium (2008)

Learning from earthquake relief and recovery operations

External Link

Community Preparedness: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH and GENDER

Women's Refugee Commission (2015) C2

This provisional Facilitator's Kit provides a complete framework for a 3-day training on Community Preparedness for Reproductive Health and Gender. The goal is to build community capacity to prepare and respond to risks and inequities faced by women and girls during emergencies.

External Link

Picking up the pieces: Liberia’s peacebuilding efforts post-Ebola

African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (2015)

External Link

Preparedness Planning

IFRC - International Federation of Red Cross Red Cresent Societies (2000) CC

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Emergency Field Handbook

UNICEF (2005)

A Guide for UNICEF Staff

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Guidelines for Earthquake Resistant Non-engineered Construction

UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (2013)

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Philippines : Typhoon Mangkhut: Flash Update No. 05 18 September 2018

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) (2018) C1

More than 230,000 people displaced by Typhoon Mangkhut in Philippines Access is still limited due to landslides in mountain areas. Some areas are still flooded, leaving people vulnerable to diseases including leptospirosis, dengue, acute gastroenteritis and AWD