In light of recent global health crises, such as the 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly evident that effective health responses in conflict-ridden areas demand an acute understanding of the local context. This understanding is especially vital in regions already plagued by violent conflicts. Failure to grasp and adapt to the intricate relationship between health responses and conflict dynamics not only jeopardizes the health intervention itself but also exacerbates the conflict and places healthcare workers in harm’s way. As healthcare is increasingly entangled in political complexities, there is an urgent need to acknowledge the intricate connection between health and peace and to advocate for a more deliberate approach to delivering emergency health responses in conflict-ridden environments.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) recently launched Global Health and Peace Initiative (GHPI) underscores the critical importance of emergency health responses that are not only “conflict-sensitive” but also “peace-responsive.” The development of the GHPI has been shaped by ongoing debates on the appropriate parameters for action at the intersection of health and peace. Within its inaugural pillar, known as conflict sensitivity, the GHPI advocates for strategies that adhere to the fundamental principle of “do no harm.”
