As armed conflicts intensify, forced displacement reaches unprecedented levels, and humanitarian needs continue to outpace available resources, the need to rethink how humanitarian health is governed and delivered has become increasingly urgent.

In response to these challenges, the Center for Humanitarian Health–Lancet Commission on Health, Conflict, and Forced Displacement launched its report, Health in a World of Crises and Impunity, in Geneva on May 20, 2026. The launch marked the beginning of a series of regional events held across six cities worldwide.

Developed through a collaboration between the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health and The Lancet, the Commission's report represents two years of work by 21 Commissioners and 21 Next Generation Scholars. It presents a comprehensive framework for transforming humanitarian health systems in response to increasingly complex crises, emphasizing the need for structural reform rather than incremental change. The report calls for humanitarian systems that are more locally led, equitable, accountable, and resilient while ensuring that crisis-affected communities play a central role in shaping decisions and responses.

On June 24, 2026, EMPHNET, in collaboration with the University of Geneva and the Geneva Center of Humanitarian Studies, hosted the Middle East and North Africa regional launch in Amman, Jordan. As a regional network working to strengthen public health systems and foster collaboration across countries facing humanitarian and public health challenges, EMPHNET convened policymakers, humanitarian leaders, public health experts, academics, development partners, and practitioners to examine the report's findings and discuss their implications for the region. It also provided a platform to contextualize the Commission's recommendations within the realities of the Middle East and North Africa.

The event opened with remarks by Dr. Magid Al-Gunaid, Deputy Executive Director of EMPHNET, who highlighted the increasingly interconnected nature of humanitarian challenges, including conflict, displacement, economic pressures, and public health emergencies. He emphasized the importance of strengthening public health systems and investing in locally driven solutions to build communities that are better prepared to respond to current and future crises.

The opening remarks were followed by a keynote address from H.E. Al-Sharif Nasser Bin Nasser, Founder and CEO of Ambit Advisory. He underscored the significance of hosting the regional launch in Jordan, noting that the country reflects many of the realities described in the report. He also stressed that people affected by crises should play an active role in shaping humanitarian responses rather than being viewed solely as recipients of assistance.

Technical presentations were then delivered by Prof. Karl Blanchet, Director of the Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies and Co-Chair of the CHH–Lancet Commission, who presented the report's key findings, and Prof. Fouad Fouad, Commissioner of the CHH–Lancet Commission and Professor at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, who discussed the contextualization of the Commission's recommendations within the Middle East and North Africa.

The event also featured a high-level panel discussion moderated by Prof. Yousef Khader, Director of EMPHNET's Center of Excellence for Applied Epidemiology. Panelists included Dr. Al-Gunaid; H.E. Al-Sharif Nasser Bin Nasser; Prof. Fouad; Dr. Sawsan Al-Majali, a Jordanian expert in nursing, public health, social policy, and community development; and Dr. Mohammad Fouad, Head of the Public Health Unit at UNHCR Jordan and Co-Chair of the Health Sector Advancement Group with the World Health Organization.

The panel discussion explored practical pathways for advancing the Commission's recommendations within the region. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening local leadership, promoting accountability, ensuring sustainable financing, and building resilient health systems in humanitarian settings. They also highlighted the need to translate the Commission's recommendations into measurable actions through regional collaboration, implementation research, and long-term partnerships.

The event concluded with a shared commitment to advancing evidence-informed and locally led humanitarian reform. Participants emphasized that the Commission's report should serve as a catalyst for practical action across the region, supported by stronger partnerships among governments, humanitarian organizations, academic institutions, donors, and affected communities.

By hosting the Middle East and North Africa regional launch, EMPHNET reaffirmed its commitment to promoting evidence-informed dialogue, strengthening regional collaboration, and supporting resilient public health systems for populations affected by conflict, displacement, and humanitarian crises.

You can read the report here.

Watch the recording of the event here.