Continuity in crisis: Innovations for cardiometabolic disease care in humanitarian settings

Join us and our partners from the African Population and Health Research Center as we share findings from our forthcoming report 'Innovations for Cardiometabolic Disease Care in Humanitarian Settings'.

About the event

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 74% of global deaths, with 85% premature mortality occuring in low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2024). In humanitarian settings this burden is intensified. Conflict, displacement, climate shocks, and fragile health systems disrupt long-term care for cardiometabolic diseases including hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. These conditions require continuous follow-up, stable medicine supply, sustained self-management support, and multisectoral coordination. Despite rising need, evidence for effective cardiometabolic disease prevention and care in humanitarian settings remains limited.

Drawing on research across Sub-Saharan Africa and a case study in Ethiopia, the report explores how a range of innovations are helping to sustain cardiometabolic care despite recurrent disruption.

The session:

The session will highlight key lessons on continuity of care, system integration and scaling in crisis contexts, and reflect on the importance of sustained investment in NCD care to protect lives and strengthen health system resilience. Attendees will hear reflections on cross-cutting lessons from efforts to deliver and sustain cardiometabolic care in humanitarian settings.

We will hear short presentations from report contributors and practitioners, followed by a Q&A with participants.

Speakers:

• Dr. Frederick Murunga Wekesah, Chronic Disease Epidemiologist and Researcher, African Population and Health Research Center
• Dr. Shivani Patel, Research Manager, Elrha
• Dr. Ahmed Reja, Honorary President, Ethiopian Diabetic Association. Previously Chair of the Africa Region of International Diabetes Federation, President of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS), board member of Directors of the International Diabetes Federation.
• Dr. Giulia Loffreda, Scientist, Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (HSR), WHO
• Dr Mahmoud Tharwat, Global NCD Officer at IFRC HQDr.
• Salwa Musa, Pediatric Endocrinologist and Clinics Supervisor at Sudan Childhood Diabetes Association

More speakers will be announced shortly.

Who should attend:

• Humanitarian health actors
• Ministries of health
• Donors
• Implementers
• NCD researchers and advocates