Countries that have experienced armed conflict and political instability account for approximately 15 percent of the world’s population. However, these same countries account globally for 30 percent of maternal deaths, 50 percent of children who die before the age of five, and a third of those affected by HIV/AIDs in developing countries. They face huge challenges in the planning, organizing, financing and sustaining health services. These hurdles are often exacerbated by the loss of infrastructure and the departure of health workers, in part as the result of attacks on health facilities.
In spite of the compelling challenges associated with building legitimate governments, health systems development in post-conflict and fragile states has experienced important successes. Questions still arise as to how health development in unstable and post-conflict states fits within donor global health priorities and policies, peacebuilding and stabilization, and human rights and governance.
The conference will review the last decade in health programming in post-conflict and fragile states, as well as address key questions about the intersection of health in “fragile states” and development, national security policy, and consider a way forward.
Speakers:
- The Honorable Walter T. Gwenigale, MD (Minister of Health & Social Welfare of the Republic of Liberia)
- Jonathan D. Quick, MD, MPH (President & CEO, Management Sciences for Health)
- Lois Quam (Executive Director, Global Health Initiative)
- Michael Posner (Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor)
- Donald K. Steinberg (Deputy Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development)
The conference will take place in Washington, DC, at the US Institute of Peace Headquarters. Registration is free. Any questions about this event should be directed to Brooke Stedman at bstedman@usip.org. More information about the conference can be found here.
IH CONNECT 