Accessing essential health services in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings

Nearly a quarter of the global population –  currently live in settings affected by conflict, displacement and natural disasters. Combined with weak national health systems, these settings make it difficult to deliver basic health services where they are most needed and would make the biggest difference. 

As a result, countries that host fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings also have high burden of disease and death: more than 70% of cases of epidemic-prone diseases, such as cholera, measles and meningitis; 60% of preventable maternal deaths; 53% of deaths in children under age 5; and 45% of infant deaths. 

Working with the World Bank, UNICEF, the World Food Programme and other partners, WHO supports Member States to deliver universal health coverage in those settings and ensure that vulnerable populations have access to basic health services, such as maternal and child health, immunization, nutrition, mental health, and sexually-transmitted diseases, among others. 

To reach people with virtually no access to health care, WHO also deploys mobile medical teams and maintains stockpiles of essential supplies, life-saving medicines and personal protective equipment that can be dispatched quickly across the world.