EPI-WIN digest 21 - WHO’s Global Health and Peace Initiative (GHPI): Overview and Case Study from Cameroon

Overview

Approximately 80% of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s humanitarian caseload and 70% of disease outbreaks that WHO responds to take place in fragile and conflict-affected situations settings. Armed conflict obstructs the delivery of equitable healthcare and can directly affect health systems, including the collapse of medical supply chains; the exodus of health care workers; attacks on health care and upsurges in disease outbreak and food insecurity. As health disparities often exacerbate social tensions, health equity and robust health systems can also foster social cohesion and trust. As such, sustaining peace and achieving equitable healthcare are mutually dependent and reinforce objectives that are critical to long-term violence prevention.  

To respond to the complex and urgent health needs emerging in a rapidly changing world order, WHO-with the championing of Oman and Switzerland-launched the Global Health and Peace Initiative (GHPI) in November 2019 with the aim of better addressing the underlying drivers of critical health needs in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings. Addressing those social determinants of health which aggravate existing inequalities and vulnerabilities is critical for achieving sustainable health outcomes globally.

For further information, please watch the EPI-WIN Webinar 'Global Health and Peace Initiative webinar series: WHO’s Global Health and Peace Initiative (GHPI) - overview and case study from Cameroon'.