Fragile, Conflict-Affected, and Vulnerable (FCV) Countries
Fragile, Conflict-Affected, and Vulnerable (FCV) Countries
The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Region is committed to supporting the health needs of populations living in Fragile, Conflict-Affected, and Vulnerable (FCV) settings. FCV countries in the region face compounded risks from conflict, forced displacement, epidemics, and natural disasters, making it difficult to deliver essential health services. Through its Health Emergencies Programme, WHO partners with governments, local stakeholders, and international organizations to respond to these challenges.
Our approach includes a focus on emergency health response, health systems strengthening, and integrating cross-sectoral interventions that improve community resilience. By promoting peace, security, and health as interconnected pillars, WHO strives to reduce health inequities and build pathways to long-term recovery and stability in FCV countries.
About
Fragile, Conflict-Affected, and Vulnerable (FCV) countries in Africa face a complex array of challenges that deeply impact their health systems, leading to increased vulnerability during crises. These countries experience protracted conflict, political instability, natural disasters, and economic fragility, all of which exacerbate health inequities. In these settings, ensuring access to essential health services, responding to health emergencies, and building resilient health systems are priorities for the World Health Organization (WHO) in Africa.
Currently, it is estimated that over 100 million people across the WHO Africa region are in need of humanitarian assistance. Of those in need, 56% are women and girls, many of whom face heightened risks, particularly in relation to sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender-based violence (GBV), and access to essential health services. Vulnerable populations also include internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, children, and people living in remote or underserved areas.
Health risks are further compounded by the prevalence of communicable diseases that spread rapidly in humanitarian settings due to overcrowded living conditions, poor sanitation, and limited access to healthcare. Key diseases affecting populations in these settings include:
- Cholera and other waterborne diseases, which are exacerbated by poor WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) conditions.
- Measles, particularly among children, due to disrupted vaccination campaigns.
- Malaria, which remains endemic in many FCV settings, with outbreaks often worsened by inadequate preventive measures.
- Hepatitis E, often linked to water contamination in overcrowded refugee camps.
- Acute respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases, which are prevalent in fragile and conflict-affected areas.
WHO's work in FCV countries focuses on reinforcing emergency preparedness and response, supporting health system recovery, and improving health outcomes despite limited resources. By addressing specific vulnerabilities, WHO aims to strengthen the capacity of health systems to withstand shocks and provide equitable access to health services, even in the most challenging contexts.
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Our Strategic Priorities
1- Health Leadership and Coordination
WHO’s comparative advantage lies in its ability to lead and coordinate health responses at both national and regional levels. With established in-country coordination mechanisms and long-standing partnerships with governments and health organizations, WHO ensures a unified approach to health emergencies. Our strength in regional coordination facilitates swift response efforts across borders, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected areas where collaboration is critical. Additionally, WHO’s leadership in coordinating with global health partners allows for the efficient mobilization of resources, ensuring that interventions are timely, effective, and aligned with the needs on the ground.
2 - Access to Quality Essential Health Services and Medicines for People in Need
WHO brings unparalleled expertise in the provision of quality health services during crises, underpinned by a robust network of mobile clinics, health workers, and established health facilities in vulnerable regions. By deploying essential medical teams to provide consultations, maternal services, vaccinations, and trauma care, WHO ensures that populations in need receive comprehensive care, even in the most remote and dangerous areas. Our efforts in infection prevention and control (IPC) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions further reinforce health systems, reducing the spread of diseases and strengthening readiness across borders. WHO's ability to quickly mobilize essential supplies and establish cross-border surveillance systems sets us apart as a key player in responding to health needs swiftly and effectively.
3 - Critical Health Workforce
With decades of experience in health workforce development, WHO is uniquely positioned to deploy highly trained personnel in emergencies, from health cluster coordinators to epidemiologists, public health officers, and mental health professionals. Our comparative advantage lies in our ability to bring together a skilled and diverse workforce that not only addresses immediate health needs but also builds local capacity for future resilience. By focusing on developing specialized roles such as GBV officers, nutritionists, and vaccinators, WHO ensures that the health response is comprehensive and tailored to the specific needs of fragile and conflict-affected populations.
4 - Epidemic surveillance
WHO’s leadership in global health surveillance enables us to rapidly detect, respond to, and contain epidemics in vulnerable regions. Through a robust system of community-based surveillance, WHO has the capacity to identify potential outbreaks early, preventing large-scale health crises. Our established network of laboratories ensures that diseases are quickly diagnosed, allowing for timely interventions. Moreover, WHO’s focus on cross-border surveillance and vaccination systems strengthens the health infrastructure, providing a protective barrier against the spread of infectious diseases. This comprehensive approach to epidemic preparedness and response is a key value addition that WHO brings to fragile and conflict-affected settings.
5 - Access to Essential Medicines and Health Supplies
As a leading provider of operational support and logistics in humanitarian health, WHO’s ability to preposition essential medicines and supplies ahead of crises is unmatched. We leverage our global partnerships and supply chains to ensure that critical medicines reach those in need, even in the most remote and underserved areas. WHO’s expertise in setting up advanced medical posts and restoring non-functioning health facilities provides immediate relief to displaced populations. Our strategic approach to ensuring the availability of life-saving medicines and establishing secure storage facilities underscores WHO’s critical role in maintaining the health of vulnerable populations.
6 - Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
WHO’s work in addressing gender-based violence during emergencies is grounded in a deep understanding of the health-related consequences of violence in crisis settings. Our comparative advantage lies in our ability to integrate GBV services into the broader health response, ensuring that survivors have access to clinical care, psychosocial support, and protection services. By building the capacity of health workers and partners, WHO ensures that care for GBV survivors is not only available but also of high quality. Additionally, WHO’s leadership in coordinating GBV services at regional and national levels strengthens the overall response, making WHO a key player in mitigating the impact of GBV in humanitarian contexts.
7 - Communication
WHO's ability to communicate health risks and responses in real-time ensures that affected communities, stakeholders, and the public remain informed during crises. By leveraging our extensive global and regional communication networks, WHO brings human-interest stories and critical health updates to the forefront, ensuring that the voices of vulnerable populations are heard. Our emphasis on transparency and accountability ensures that the response efforts are closely monitored, fostering trust between health responders and the communities they serve.
8 - Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PRSEAH)
WHO’s commitment to preventing and responding to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PRSEAH) is a cornerstone of our operations in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Our comparative advantage stems from our comprehensive approach, which includes mainstreaming PRSEAH across all health interventions and collaborating with inter-agency networks to ensure that protection mechanisms are in place. By establishing community-based complaint systems and ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of PRSEAH protocols, WHO plays a leading role in safeguarding vulnerable populations, reinforcing our reputation as a trusted and accountable health leader.
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Publications
Progress on Fragile, Conflict-Affected, and Vulnerable (FCV) and Humanitarian Health Intelligence (HHI) Bulletin
This bulletin provides an update on WHO’s Humanitarian Health Intelligence (HHI) efforts in FCV countries, showcasing the data-driven approach to addressing health needs in crisis contexts. It highlights the role of HHI in improving decision-making, resource allocation, and targeted interventions to enhance health outcomes.
DownloadProgress Report on Humanitarian Interventions in FCV Countries (2024)
This report documents WHO’s humanitarian interventions across FCV countries in 2024, including emergency health responses, disease outbreak management, and health system recovery initiatives. It details the progress made in addressing key health challenges in countries like Chad, DRC, and South Sudan.
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Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Humanitarian Settings
This publication focuses on the critical importance of SRHR interventions in FCV settings. It highlights seven key interventions, including maternal and newborn care, family planning, gender-based violence prevention, and the provision of HIV services, all essential in improving health outcomes for women and girls in crises.
Responding to the Escalating Climate Change-Related Health Emergencies in the WHO African Region
This report examines the intersection of climate change and health in FCV countries, outlining WHO’s strategies for addressing climate-related health emergencies. It emphasizes the need for resilient health systems to manage increasing risks from climate-induced disasters, such as floods, droughts, and food insecurity.
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