Impact analysis of COVID-19 on humanitarian health response
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing humanitarian crises, overwhelming healthcare systems and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. To understand the impact on humanitarian health responses, the WHO Global Health Cluster commissioned hera to conduct a comprehensive assessment.
Between August 2022 and January 2024, a large team of multidisciplinary experts led by hera, undertook a comprehensive study to answer key questions related to the impact of COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to better understand how COVID-19 has directly or indirectly impacted the vulnerability and health needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises and whether Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs) have adequately reflected these vulnerabilities and needs.
Additionally, the study aimed to determine if COVID-19 has impacted investments in humanitarian health response and the scope and scale of what humanitarian health partners can deliver.
Phase 1: Retrospective Analysis
Phase 1 of the impact analysis sought to answer the following questions:
How has COVID-19 directly or indirectly impacted the overall vulnerability and health needs of populations in humanitarian settings?
Have these changes in overall vulnerabilities and health needs been adequately reflected and addressed in humanitarian response planning?
How has COVID-19 affected investments in humanitarian health response?
Has COVID-19 affected what humanitarian health partners can deliver?
This phase consisted of a retrospective analysis, including a global systematic literature review followed by case studies in three countries affected by humanitarian crises: the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Yemen. Interviews with a diverse range of key informants in each country provided insights from various perspectives.
Phase 2: Prospective Analysis and Learning
Phase 2 of the study sought to answer the following questions:
How is COVID-19 captured within the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) 2023 and 2024, and how is it addressed in HRP 2023?
What is the general trend for funding for health cluster response?
How are countries facing humanitarian crises integrating COVID-19 preparedness and response, and pandemic preparedness, including reaching populations affected by humanitarian crises?
What have partners been able to deliver in 2023?
How have partners evolved or adapted programs to what they can deliver since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic?
In this phase, the team conducted country workshops, additional key informant interviews, and a survey to capture lessons learned during the HNO and HRP development and implementation processes. Ethiopia was assessed only in Phase 2 to provide additional insights.
The overall impact analysis provided invaluable insights into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the humanitarian health response, particularly in certain countries facing some of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The study findings will be used by the Global Health Cluster (GHC) to inform dialogue with key internal and external stakeholders, highlight critical inequities impeding better health outcomes, and influence necessary changes in humanitarian response planning and partner support.