Humanitarian and Health Responses in Crises

To manage health needs in armed conflict

Anneli Eriksson

Karolinska Institutet

TBA

The COVID-19 pandemic and intra-household tensions in Africa

Mekdim D. Regassa

Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ)

This study examines the impact of COVID-19 countermeasures, such as stay-at-home orders and school closures, on tensions within households. In a phone survey carried out in Uganda, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique throughout 2021 (N = 22,497), 70% of respondents reported the presence of intra-household tension. On average, we document that the stringency of the countermeasures increases intra-household tensions. The duration of the countermeasures is significant, tension increasing but a diminishing rate. The type of countermeasure (e.g. workplace closure, public transport restrictions) is less important, with all measures, apart from international travel restrictions, significantly increasing tension. Income shocks, frequently experienced during the pandemic, were compounded by the countermeasures. Thus, countermeasures have a strong impact on the psychological and economic wellbeing of households. Policymakers need to carefully consider the intersection of economic vulnerability and public health interventions during future crises.

Mapping Response During the Wartime: A Network Study of the Humanitarian Crisis Efforts in Ukraine

Olga Pysmenna

University of Central Florida

The humanitarian crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine exceeds the capacity of any single agency, institution, or organization, necessitating collaboration and coordination among diverse public, private, and nonprofit entities. Continuous attacks on transport, heating, and energy infrastructure have disrupted public services such as education, healthcare, protection, evacuation, and electricity, leaving millions of civilians across Ukraine without access to essential services including water, food, education, and healthcare. The negative impacts of the crisis, affecting millions, demand services that no single national or international organization can fully provide. Thus, a multiorganizational humanitarian response is critical for effective assistance. This paper analyzes the structure of the humanitarian response to the crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, focusing on the coordination and collaboration among humanitarian partners. Employing content analysis and network analysis, the study examines the relationships among network members and their coordinated efforts in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The analysis of the humanitarian response network in Ukraine provides critical insights into the effectiveness, structure, and dynamics of the involved organizations. These insights are essential for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the current response and for informing future strategies.