The Global Health Cluster's annual Partners’ Meeting, held online from 19-20 June, brought together humanitarian partner organizations to discuss significant challenges in providing essential health services in conflict-affected areas. The meeting highlighted the overwhelming demands on the humanitarian system, as well as the immense difficulties faced by organizations in Gaza and Sudan, necessitating critical adaptations such as localization, integrated service delivery, and flexible supply chains. Furthermore, it also explored data on the widespread attacks on health facilities and workers.
The Health Cluster's new localization strategy was presented to partners. It aims to engage local actors holistically within the health cluster. Five primary commitments were outlined to be achieved by 2025, including increasing local and national actor leadership in coordination, decision-making, and resource mobilization. Barriers such as limited funding, political restrictions, and power imbalances were discussed, along with enablers like recognizing the roles of local actors in access-constrained areas.
Participants considered the impacts of climate change on health in humanitarian settings and highlighted practical approaches to addressing these issues. Strategies include capacity building and integrating climate risk into programming. Innovations in maternal, newborn, and child health were highlighted, such as community-based kangaroo mother care and early childhood development initiatives integrated with health services.
The Partners' Meeting underscored the urgent need for more efficient, resilient, and locally driven humanitarian responses. Strengthening health systems, protecting healthcare workers, and improving data and coordination, among other things, were underlined as essential to addressing the growing scale and complexity of global crises. Discussions also emphasized the importance of localization, climate action, and holistic approaches to improving health outcomes in crisis contexts.