Health in Times of Crisis: Safeguarding Health Systems Amid Sanctions and Conflict-Induced Migration Pressure

The convergence of armed conflict, sanctions, and intensifying geopolitical pressure is driving unprecedented forced displacement, creating urgent challenges for global health and hindering progress toward Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Health and Well-being), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

This session examines the strain on health systems through the World Health Organization building blocks, with emphasis on governance, financing, the health workforce, service delivery, and supply chains. It also explores the full spectrum of conflict-induced mobility, including forced displacement, distress migration driven by economic pressure, and the loss of health workers through emigration and workforce depletion. Sanctions will be a central focus, with real-world examples showing how they can restrict access to medicines, weaken service delivery, and deepen fragility.

These pressures can create a vicious cycle: weakened health systems struggle to serve both host communities and displaced populations, potentially increasing social tensions and undermining fragile peace. The session will move beyond analysis to consider broader policy responses and system-level strategies for strengthening resilient, inclusive, and equitable health systems that can better respond to sanctions, conflict, and migration pressures, with a focus on migrants and mobile populations. The goal is to advance a practical blueprint for health system resilience as a foundation for sustainable peace and development.