COVID-19 is an ultimate systems challenge, particularly where communities experience conflict and underlying health inequities. How can peacebuilders pivot amid such public health crisis? How can public health practitioners balance both urgency and conflict sensitivity? How can local and global humanitarian response navigate these complex systems to promote peace and health outcomes?

These and other questions shared with CDA by practitioners inspired the development of the resource ‘Conflict Sensitivity and Public Health Emergencies’. It incorporates practical lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and past public health crises around the world to present practical guidance on how to navigate the intersection of conflict, humanitarian crises, and public health emergencies. For public health practitioners, it provides an introduction to applying the Do No Harm Framework; for humanitarian and peacebuilding practitioners, it provides insight into how to adapt to public health emergencies.

The initial version of October 2020 is ready for use and is accompanied by a ‘Quick Start Guide’ and a set of adaptable tools.