Improving health system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries

Video: Our health consultant Kailash Balendran discusses the connections between fragile states and resilient health systems

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According to the World Bank, fragility, conflict, and violence is a critical development challenge that threatens efforts to end extreme poverty, affecting both low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Many of the world’s crises are caused by or exacerbated by fragility, from violent conflict to internal and external displacements and climate shocks.

Compared to other LMICs, fragile states have grown more slowly, with more than 80% being off track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Increased global conflict and fragility means that the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations are at risk. By 2030, an estimated 80% of the world’s extreme poor will live in these places.

It is increasingly important to ensure health systems worldwide are resilient to shocks, so that health actors, institutions, and populations have capacity to:

  • adequately prepare for and effectively respond to crises
  • maintain core functions during crisis
  • take informed action based on lessons learned from previous crises
  • reorganise in the aftermath

In the following video, our health consultant Kailash Balendran explores the connections between fragile states and resilient health systems, looks at how to improve engagement in this area, and spotlights what OPM’s Health team is doing to support governments in fragile countries to improve their health systems.



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