Editorial

The world is witnessing an increase in catastrophes, natural hazards such as floods and droughts, and conflicts in countries like Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine are some to name. Unfortunately, it seems that human civilization has forgotten the challenges of the climate crisis, and despite such occurrences, we continue with our ways of living without any adjustments.

Since 2013, the MSc in International Humanitarian Affairs has aimed to facilitate students to think critically about their responsibilities towards disasters, conflicts, and other human-

induced crises. In that, we are very proud to launch the bulletin of international humanitarian affairs, which contains articles by some of the graduates who obtained the highest marks for their dissertations.

The Bulletin of International Humanitarian Affairs aims to create a digital platform for students of the MSc in International Humanitarian Affairs with higher dissertation marks to

publish and get experience in different types of publishing. In this first issue of the Bulletin, we have Dr Peter Glaves as the guest contributor. Over the years, Peter has been working in

Humanitarian Research: Paving the Way for Effective Aid

Dr Eslam Elbaaly MD MSc

Research is a vital component of any humanitarian response to ensure informed decision-making and effective intervention. In this edition of the MIHA bulletin we have three articles on a wide range of research on humanitarian issues. This editorial discusses the impact of humanitarian research, using examples of work from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Syria to demonstrate how research can shape humanitarian response.

1. Evidence-Based Response to Evolving Challenges

In the Syrian context, where healthcare infrastructure has been severely compromised due to conflict, humanitarian research enabled MSF to identify healthcare needs and gaps and allocate resources efficiently, ensuring that medical services are delivered where they are needed most. One example of this is a survey conducted among Syrian refugees on the burden and determinants of NCDs, which showed the need for NCD care. (Rehr, 2018, Sethi 2017). Another example is a study highlighting the psychological impact of conflict (Vernier, 2019). MSF and other humanitarian organizations responded by providing mental health and psychosocial support services. This research-driven approach ensures that medical assistance is targeted, timely, and most effectively delivered.

2. Innovation in Aid Delivery

Innovation in aid delivery has been catalysed by research. For example, in Syria, where access to healthcare is limited due to the ongoing conflict, telemedicine and mobile clinics have been deployed to reach remote and underserved areas. A systematic review highlights the range of telemedicine interventions in five diverse, conflict-affected settings (Parkes, 2022). Similarly, in response to COVID-19, despite lacking capacity and resources, the health system used lessons from previous outbreaks as well as social media tools such as WhatsApp to effectively collect health information and communicate health messaging (Ekzayez, 2020). Such innovations improved access to healthcare, although more needs to be done to evaluate these approaches.

3. Ensuring Accountability and Transparency

Humanitarian research has a significant role in ensuring accountability within the sector, maintaining transparency and accountability in its work. Evaluating the impact of programmes and sharing findings, and contributing to the overall accountability of humanitarian organizations (MSF Evaluation reports) is vital as this practice reinforces the trust of donors and beneficiaries alike.

Challenges

Humanitarian research is crucial for shaping crisis response, especially in prolonged conflicts such as Syria. However, its impact is constrained by challenges such as the disconnect between research and action, the potential inequalities introduced by innovation, and the gap between research and advocacy. There are also important ethical considerations such as informed consent, privacy, the potential exploitation of vulnerable populations, and the responsible use of data, which can be more difficult in humanitarian settings. The power dynamic between researchers and those affected by crises adds another layer of complexity, requiring an awareness of cultural sensitivities.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges, humanitarian research has a critical role in delivering effective interventions when they are needed the most, and integrating research into humanitarian responses is essential.

References:

Ekzayez A, Al-Khalil M, Jasiem M, Al Saleh R, Alzoubi Z, Meagher K, Patel P. COVID-19 response in northwest Syria: innovation and community engagement in a complex conflict. J Public Health (Oxf). 2020 Aug 18;42(3):504-509.

Parkes P, Pillay TD, Bdaiwi Y, Simpson R, Almoshmosh N, Murad L, Abbara A. Telemedicine interventions in six conflict-affected countries in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region: a systematic review. Confl Health. 2022 Dec 14;16(1):64.

Rehr M, Shoaib M, Ellithy S, Okour S, Ariti C, Ait-Bouziad I, van den Bosch P, Deprade A, Altarawneh M, Shafei A, Gabashneh S, Lenglet A. Prevalence of non-communicable diseases and access to care among non-camp Syrian refugees in northern Jordan. Confl Health. 2018 Jul 11;12:33.

Sethi S, Jonsson R, Skaff R, Tyler F. Community-Based Noncommunicable Disease Care for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2017 Sep 28;5(3):495-506.

Vernier L, Cramond V, Hoetjes M, Lenglet A, Hoare T, Malaeb R, Carrion Martin AI. High levels of mortality, exposure to violence and psychological distress experienced by the internally displaced population of Ein Issa camp prior to and during their displacement in Northeast Syria, November 2017. Confl Health. 2019 Jul 11;13:33.

Editorial

(Co-Editors)