Violent conflict often exacerbates the spread of infectious diseases, as seen in the recent resurgence of polio in Syria, cholera outbreaks in the conflict zones in Yemen, and the persistence of Ebola in insecure eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Between 2009 and 2017, in fact, there were 364 disease outbreaks in 108 refugee camps. Fragility and conflict reverse hard-won development gains and stunt opportunities for children, youth, and the poorest people. In the process, they deeply weaken health systems, leaving societies more vulnerable to disease outbreaks.

The global health emergency created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) is particularly concerning: it could become even more dire as it spreads to countries affected by fragility, conflict and violence  (FCV). These countries are already seeing an increase in cases, and governments and international partners are taking unprecedented steps to save lives and mitigate the worst socio-economic impacts.

As of late April, the World Bank Group was already working to strengthen health systems and mitigate the pandemic’s risks in 19 of the most fragile settings across all developing regions , from the DRC, Mali and Niger, to Papua New Guinea, Haiti, Afghanistan, Yemen and the West Bank and Gaza.  Many more countries have requested support, and operations are being finalized quickly with three main aims during this unprecedented crisis: to help countries implement emergency health operations and strengthen economic resilience, protect the poorest and most vulnerable households and to support business and save jobs.

The UN-World Bank joint study, Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict, as well as the recent World Bank Group Strategy for FCV, provide a set of critical principles that can help guide country-level response efforts in those challenging settings.

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