Responding to Changing Needs: Leveraging Research and Innovation to Address the Silent Killers of Humanitarian Crises - Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major and often under-recognised driver of excess and avoidable mortality in humanitarian crises. During humanitarian crises, people living with conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease face an immediate risk of life-threatening complications when treatment is interrupted, supply chains break down or access to essential medicines such as insulin is disrupted. As crises become more frequent and complex, humanitarian health responses must evolve to address both the chronic nature of these conditions and the acute complications that emerge when care is suddenly disrupted. 

This session will explore how research and innovation with strong community buy-in can strengthen the ability of humanitarian actors to prevent and manage NCD-related complications in crisis settings. Through dialogue with practitioners, researchers, innovators and advocates, the session will examine innovative approaches to NCD care and explore barriers across operational, policy and financing environments. It will also identify remaining gaps and priority areas for research and innovation to advance more equitable and effective NCD care in emergencies.