PHM-Exch> [PHM NEWS] WHO moves cautiously towards Global Health and Peace Initiative

[Claudio Schuftan]

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From: David <dlegge at phmovement.org>
Date: Sat, Jan 20, 2024 at 11:18 AM

But member states divided

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WHO moves cautiously towards Global Health and Peace Initiative

The Global Health and Peace Initiative (GHPI) appeared on WHO’s Executive
Board agenda in January 2022 following a gathering in Geneva in November
2019 co-sponsored by Oman and Switzerland. It has been discussed several
times in the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board (links to
discussions
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=1e80c2e0c8&e=ade41a541f>).
It appears that not all member states are happy with WHO seeking to
recognise and deal with conflict in its fieldwork.

The latest iteration of the proposed Initiative is outlined in document
EB154/17
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=106a5099c8&e=ade41a541f>
(see also webpage
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=efd504c525&e=ade41a541f>)
will be considered by the Executive Board in late January 2024. The
Initiative is characterised by two key principles which define the
initiative.

The two principles are: ‘conflict sensitivity’ (do no harm), and ‘peace
responsiveness’ (contribute to strengthening the conditions for peace, in
particular, social cohesion and trust). The Initiative will be advanced
through six workstreams starting with ‘Evidence generation through research
and analysis’. See Draft Roadmap
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=2975ff04df&e=ade41a541f>
for discussion of the two principles and the six workstreams.

As requested by the Health Assembly in May 2023 the Secretariat has
undertaken extensive consultation since then. EB154/17
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=c2d3b411b1&e=ade41a541f>
reports on the main messages from the various consultation meetings. It
appears that the responses have varied from enthusiastic to sceptical. It
seems likely that some of the issues raised in the consultations will
reappear at the Executive Board in January. EB154/17 describes a range of
activities implemented in recent months as part of the implementation of
the GPHI.
Appreciation  PHM welcomes the Global Health for Peace initiative. It seems
self-evident that WHO’s country level programs and services should be *conflict
sensitive* and *peace responsive*.  The work so far undertaken and
foreshadowed through the six workstreams appear well directed to the
development and implementation of the Initiative.

PHM appreciates the emphasis on evidence generation through research and
analysis including case study analysis. Several case studies are to be
found on the WHO website
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=d9a100b340&e=ade41a541f>.
The continuing analysis of cases will lead to clearer principles and
guidelines. This research and analysis will also generate useful
information about the drivers of conflict and of peace in different
settings.  Conflict as a social determinant of health

Unequitable access to basic facilities such as healthcare services,
educational facilities, development efforts, economic opportunities, job
opportunities, technology services, potable water, and electricity can
drive people to anger and lead to conflicts. Poverty, forced displacements,
marginalization, stigmatization, exclusion, injustice, insecurity, trade
issues, land disputes, ethnic, religious and cultural differences, gender
stereotypes, colonial influence, privatization, political inequities,
tension between armed community groups and community members, hate speech,
mistrust, food insecurity, climate-related issues such as water shortage
for farming also contribute to conflict in fragile and vulnerable settings.

While the Global Health and Peace Initiative appears to be directed
primarily to inform WHO’s work in conflict settings, the principles should
be incorporated into the training of health personnel generally. Even where
there is no overt conflict there are divisions within communities where
conflict sensitivity (do no harm) and peace responsiveness (building social
cohesion and trust) may make a contribution to well-being and health.
*… the Global Health and Peace Initiative focuses on fragile,
conflict-affected and vulnerable settings but is also relevant in any
setting where social cohesion, resilience, or trust need to be built,
sustained, or strengthened upon the request and acceptance of Governments.
As the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated, poor social cohesion or low levels
of trust can undermine positive health outcomes and universal health
coverage. *

It is evident also that there are limitations to what can be achieved
through the GPHI as was evident during the recent special session of the
Executive Board (EBSS7
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=b3b63b34f9&e=ade41a541f>)
which reviewed the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Peace programming should not be understood as contained within one country.
The majority of conflicts involving WHO are international, and grievances
related to exclusion or discrimination are clearly be related to
international forces. The attention given to delivering services equitably
as a means of promoting peace is welcome and should be applied
internationally as well as nationally.

PHM calls on countries to support the continuing development of the Global
Health and Health Initiative.

The full PHM commentary on this item
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=b801b522ec&e=ade41a541f>
provides
more detail and references.  See also Tracker links to previous discussions
of health
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=34a6d14864&e=ade41a541f>
and peace.
The WHO Tracker and the PHM item commentaries are produced as part of WHO
Watch which is a project of the People's Health Movement
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=a03d978067&e=ade41a541f>
in
association with Medicus Mundi International
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=16fe9be4a9&e=ade41a541f>
, Third World Network
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=d569584042&e=ade41a541f>
and
a number of other civil society networks. WHO Watch aims to contribute to
democratising global health governance, through new alliances, new
information flows and by broadening the policy discourse.

See the WHO Tracker page for this EB154 session (here
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=62ce262dea&e=ade41a541f>).
See PHM’s integrated commentary
<https://phmovement.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=559d715f58f654accf3de987e&id=16f637d702&e=ade41a541f>
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