The role of Research and Innovation (R&I) at global, regional, national, and local levels is crucial for developing culturally and contextually appropriate responses to humanitarian crises. This is especially true in regions such as the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region which is grappling with some of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world against a backdrop of broader longstanding developmental challenges.

The experience and perspectives of the actors involved in humanitarian action and R&I provide invaluable learning that should drive action in the region but that can also shape the global conversation on how global humanitarian research and innovation (HRI) ecosystem can evolve.

 Elrha’s Global Prioritization Exercise (GPE) serves as a global research and consultation effort that seeks to improve outcomes for people affected by crises. It achieves this goal by amplifying the impact of investments into R&I, a process that aims to build an improved understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the global HRI system.

To discuss these issues further, the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), in collaboration with Deakin University and Elrha, hosted a thought-provoking webinar as part of EMPHET’s WEBi Series. In this session the outcomes of the Global Prioritization Exercise (GPE) consultations for the West Asia and North Africa region were unveiled.

Held on November 28, 2023, the 90-minute session featured a team of subject matter experts namely: Deputy Director (International) of the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalization,  Prof. Shahram Akbarzadeh; Professor of Epidemiology and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut (AUB), Prof Abla Mohio; Director of the Center of Excellence for Applied Epidemiology at EMPHNET, Dr. Yousef Khader; Professor of Epidemiology, University of Tunis El Manar, Prof Habiba Ben Romdhane; and Asfari Foundation CEO, Ms. Muna Abbas.

To ensure the smooth transition from one portion of the session to the next, the webinar was moderated by Elrha CEO Ms. Jess Camburn and Senior Project Manager at EMPHNET Ms. Lara Kufoof.

Commencing the webinar on a high note, Prof. Yousef Khader gave a few opening remarks on behalf of EMPHNET’s Executive Director Dr Mohannad Al Nsour. In his opening address, he stated that countries in the West Asia and North Africa region face some of the largest emergencies and the most protracted crises in the world. He added that these crises have caused high rates of morbidity, mortality, and displacement and that they have generated profound humanitarian needs. He further confirmed that R&I proves to be very useful, as it can help forecast and characterize humanitarian crises. He added that with effective research, we can successfully identify potential solutions, inform humanitarian action, and monitor progress. He then ended his speech by stating that he was very excited to hear about the fruitful discussions that this session will host, and he thanked participants and attendees for being there.

Following Dr Khader’s address, Ms. Jess Camburn provided an overview of the global prioritizing exercise (GPE). In her presentation, she stated that the GPE seeks to improve outcomes for people affected by crises. This goal is achieved by amplifying the impact of investments into research and innovation within the humanitarian system. She then confirmed that this research process aims to build an improved understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the Global HRI system and that it deepens our understanding of priorities at all levels.

She further added that such consultations provide invaluable insights on the experiences and perceptions of humanitarian research and innovation (HRI) ecosystem by regional and national humanitarian actors, and that they highlight topics and areas that need HRI attention. Finally, she added that such consultations also provide pointers on how the HRI ecosystem could be improved at regional and global levels, and that they better describe how the HRI system functions, and occasionally dysfunctions, in complex humanitarian environments.

From his end, Prof. Shahram Akbarzadeh stated in his presentation that the GPE was conducted in six regions around the world. This exercise was completed by a series of key-informant interviews featuring participants performing different functions in the humanitarian sector.  The study examined the role of R&I in humanitarian crises, as well as R&I topics requiring attention.  He added that the study investigated the adjustment of and investments in R&I requiring attention, donor decision making, and responsiveness. He then ended his presentation by stating that 134 interviews in 50 countries were conducted. 

Dr Khader then presented the key findings from the study. He stated that the study revealed that health, environmental issues, climate change, education, access to livelihood and economic opportunities, food and water security, gender, and cultural and social practices were the top R&I topics requiring attention. More specifically, the health-related R&I topics requiring humanitarian intervention included: communicable disease and health security, the improvement of access and availability to health services, and finally mental health.

Dr Khader then stressed that such topics sometimes do not receive adequate investment, as this is due to cultural bias, lack of funding, lack of human resources, or political sensitivities. He then ended his presentation by stating that a transparent global dialogue addressing these challenges and considerations alongside the development of a comprehensive framework for ethical funding and ethical conduct of humanitarian research in crisis contexts are crucial. He also added that funding should be more flexible and aligned with community needs at the donor level.

These presentations were followed by a panel discussion featuring; Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut (AUB), Prof Abla Mohio; Professor of Preventive Medicine, University of Tunis El Manar; Prof Habiba Ben Romdhane; and Asfari Foundation CEO, Ms. Muna Abbas. Some of the key issues discussed during this portion of the webinar included the key actions to be taken to improve R&I in the region. On this topic, Dr Mohio highlighted that the overall landscape of humanitarian research and innovation has been growing regionally, yet there still exist some challenges. Namely, research agendas are set by funders rather than need, so research may remain of limited value or use. From her end, Ms. Abbas stated that R&I should be imbedded in the program design process, and that frontliners should be listened to, as they have the first-hand feedback from the beneficiary. Finally, Prof Ben Romdhane stated that the power imbalance can be addressed by humanitarian response being treated as a shared responsibility at national, regional, and international levels.

These insights were followed by a Q&A session in which participants interacted with panelists, and fruitful discussions were made.

The webinar was attended by 120 public health experts form the region and beyond, deeming it another success in the EMPHNET WEBi series.