Addressing the Silent Pandemic: Non-Communicable diseases in Humanitarian Crises
The looming fourth UN High-level Meeting (HLM4) of the UN General Assembly, scheduled for September 25, 2025, presents a critical juncture for global health strategy. This meeting offers a pivotal chance to spotlight a frequently overlooked,yet devastating,health challenge: the escalating burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) within humanitarian emergencies. As of 2024,a staggering 123 million individuals were compelled to leave their homes due to crises ranging from armed conflicts adn climate-related disasters to systemic failures in healthcare infrastructure. [1] While these emergencies disproportionately impact low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), recent global events – notably the COVID-19 pandemic and the surge in extreme weather phenomena – demonstrate that vulnerability to such disruptions is worldwide.
The Growing NCD Crisis in Displacement Settings
Traditionally, humanitarian responses have prioritized immediate life-saving interventions – addressing infectious disease outbreaks, providing food and shelter, and delivering emergency medical care. Though, this focus frequently enough neglects the pre-existing and rapidly worsening conditions of NCDs among affected populations. Individuals already living with chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable during displacement, facing disruptions in medication access, healthcare services, and essential support systems. Moreover, the stressors inherent in crisis situations – including trauma, food insecurity, and lack of safe living conditions - can exacerbate existing NCDs and even trigger the onset of new cases.
Consider the situation in Ukraine following the escalation of conflict in February 2022. Beyond the immediate trauma injuries, a critically important proportion of the displaced population required ongoing management for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Reports from the WHO in early 2025 indicated a marked increase in reported cases of heart attacks and strokes among Ukrainian refugees, directly linked to the psychological stress and disruption of healthcare access. [2] This illustrates a pattern observed in numerous humanitarian settings, from protracted refugee crises in Syria and Yemen to the aftermath of devastating natural disasters in Mozambique and the philippines.
Challenges to NCD Management in Humanitarian Contexts
Effectively addressing NCDs in humanitarian crises presents a complex set of challenges. These include:
* Data Gaps: Reliable epidemiological data on NCD prevalence in crisis-affected populations is often scarce or non-existent. This hinders accurate needs assessments and targeted interventions.
* Supply Chain Disruptions: Ensuring a consistent supply of essential medications, diagnostic tools, and medical equipment for NCD management can be incredibly difficult in unstable environments.
* Healthcare Workforce Shortages: Humanitarian settings frequently experience a critical shortage of trained healthcare professionals, particularly those with expertise in NCD care.
* Integration with Existing Systems: Integrating NCD services into existing humanitarian response frameworks - which are often focused on acute care – requires significant coordination and capacity building.
* Financial Constraints: Funding for NCD programs in humanitarian contexts remains woefully inadequate, often overshadowed by the perceived urgency of addressing infectious diseases and immediate survival needs.
A recent study published in The Lancet global Health (August 2025) highlighted that only 12% of humanitarian aid allocated to health in 2024 was specifically earmarked for NCD prevention and management. [3] This disparity underscores the urgent need for increased investment and prioritization.
Innovative Approaches and Future Directions
Despite these challenges, innovative approaches are emerging to improve NCD care in humanitarian settings. These include:
* Task-Shifting: Training non-specialist healthcare workers to deliver basic NCD services, such as blood pressure monitoring, diabetes screening, and medication adherence support.
* Telemedicine: Utilizing remote technologies to connect patients with specialists and provide ongoing care, particularly in areas with limited access to healthcare facilities.
* Community Health Worker Programs: Empowering local community members to provide health education, screening, and support to
Related reading