Advancing Humanitarian Health Research in the Era of Climate Change

Takeaways from our recent webinar: “Global Perspectives on Climate Change and Humanitarian Health: What’s happening in the research space?”

Elrha and the Fogarty International Center of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently co-hosted an engaging webinar exploring the intersection of humanitarian health research and climate change. The event (recording available here) served as a key precursor to two, linked, in-person gatherings scheduled for May 2025 in Nairobi: the Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) Forum and the Global Forum on Humanitarian Health Research (GFH2R).

Both forums aim to unite researchers and humanitarian organisations working in crisis-affected regions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The webinar provided a collaborative space for stakeholders to share knowledge, identify challenges, and discuss emerging research opportunities in this critical area.

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Expert Insights

We were honoured to host a panel of experts whose diverse perspectives enriched the discussion:

• Katie Bigmore: Humanitarian Practitioner
• Wael Al-Delaimy: Professor, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science, UCSD
• Irene Torres: Strategic Advisor, Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research
• Junaid Razzak: Director of the Centre of Excellence for Trauma and Emergencies, Aga Khan University; Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine
• Elizabeth Kimani-Murage: Senior Research Scientist, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)

The session was moderated by Jura Augustinavicius, Assistant Professor at McGill University’s Department of Equity, Ethics, and Policy, School of Population and Global Health, Canada.

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Webinar Highlights

The session kicked off with a deep dive into the intersection of climate change and humanitarian crises based on a recent situational analysis, led by Katie Bigmore. She painted a clear picture of the current research landscape, pointing out critical evidence gaps, particularly for vulnerable populations. Katie called for localised, actionable data, faster evidence-sharing, and a more collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to tackle health impacts, drive adaptation, and shape policy in crisis settings.

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Addressing heat-related illnesses

Dr. Junaid Razzak tackled the pressing issue of climate-related illnesses, especially heat-related health problems in LMICs. He stressed the gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and emergency care, alongside the challenge of limited localised data. Dr. Razzak also highlighted opportunities in clinical research, implementation science, and creating educational resources to equip healthcare providers and policymakers with the tools they need.

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Climate change and nutrition in Africa

Dr. Elizabeth Kimani-Murage provided insights on climate change’s impact on health and nutrition in Africa. She discussed the continent’s high vulnerability, the lack of engagement with people with lived experience, and the struggle to fully grasp climate change’s effects. However, she also pointed to emerging opportunities, particularly in attribution science, local knowledge, and building interventions for resilience.

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Challenges in low-income settings

Dr. Wael Al-Delaimy shared his perspective on research challenges in Southwest Asia and North Africa. He focused on challenges like the lack of data, research capacity, and infrastructure in low-income countries. He stressed the need for more local engagement, particularly with scientists and decision-makers, as well as the crucial role of international funding in advancing climate change research.

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Schools as catalysts for health promotion

Dr. Irene Torres emphasised the potential of schools to act as hubs for health promotion during climate-related crises. She raised key concerns, such as data gaps and the short-term perspective often applied in crisis settings. Looking ahead, Dr. Torres proposed future research directions, including better understanding the health impacts of migration, refining response strategies, and addressing mental health needs for both displaced populations and the health workers supporting them.

Following a very active question and answer session, there was an optional 30-minute interactive breakout session that allowed attendees to connect further, fostering rich dialogue among academic institutions, research funders, and humanitarian organisations.

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Reflections and Looking Ahead

This webinar highlighted the critical need for collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to address the health impacts of climate change in humanitarian settings. Insights from the discussion will inform ongoing preparations for the Nairobi forums, where key stakeholders will further explore these challenges and co-develop actionable solutions.

As collaborators, Elrha and Fogarty are committed to advancing research that strengthens humanitarian responses and improves outcomes for communities affected by crises. We look forward to continuing this journey together as we approach these pivotal events in 2025.

Stay tuned for more updates and join us in shaping the future of humanitarian health research!

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