Health & peace initiative

The COVID19 outbreak has demonstrated that health crises can be important enablers for peace and ceasefire agreements. But the COVID19 outbreak also has the potential to act as a trigger for conflict by exacerbating existing fault lines in society and by increasing feelings of inequality. Health programs can contribute to peace as they can be powerful enablers in the peace building process and carefully chosen health activities can deliver peace dividends in addition to health benefits. The Health and Peace initiative offers a solution by introducing a conflict sensitivity analysis approach to health programs, thereby ensuring health programs have a positive impact on the triggers of conflict while taking into account, and mitigate when necessary, the possible harmful effects.