Key Learnings from Global Forums: Tackling GBV, Climate Resilience, and WASH in Humanitarian Crises

From forensic documentation innovations to enhancing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, recent conferences have showcased promising humanitarian solutions addressing gender-based violence (GBV), climate crises, and public health challenges. This blog summarises key insights from the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum in South Africa, the Global Health Practitioners Conference (GHPC) in Kenya, and the UNC Water and Health Conference in the USA, highlighting innovations and progress in these critical areas.

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Advances in Addressing GBV in Humanitarian Settings

At the SVRI Forum, we showcased pitch videos and shared information about a selection of the promising innovations whose development we have supported. These include breakthroughs in forensic documentation, service quality monitoring, and real-time GBV risk analysis.

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1. Secure Forensic Digital Documentation with MediCapt

Through MediCapt, survivors of GBV in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are benefiting from secure, survivor-centred forensic digital documentation. This digital app, coupled with survivor-centered training, has enabled clinicians to securely gather and store forensic evidence from over 4,000 cases. Since its inception in 2020, MediCapt has not only increased the volume of documented cases but has also significantly strengthened judicial outcomes. Of 55 documented cases reaching court in the DRC, 49 resulted in positive judgments, demonstrating the potential for such innovations to bolster accountability and reduce GBV.

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2. Enhancing Service Quality Through Standards Monitoring

Addressing gaps in service quality, we funded the co-design of a monitoring and evaluation framework for the 16 GBV Minimum Standards. This tool has been implemented in Somalia to assess one-stop centers, ensuring adherence to these critical standards. The framework’s adoption is expanding, with an upcoming East and Southern Africa Regional GBV  webinar which will say more about the value of the framework, its findings and applications.

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3. Novel Approaches to GBV Risk Analysis

Elrha-funded work adapting sensemaking to humanitarian settings (in Lebanon and South America), has generated iterative innovation in how a methodology first developed for understanding organisational psychology could be used to produce real-time information about GBV in complex emergency settings without even asking a single direct question about gender-based violence. This pitch video introduces the methodology, and the project page gives more details including journal articles and reports based on the analysed data.

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Integrating Climate and Health in Humanitarian Work

At the GHPC in Nairobi, the intersection of climate crises and humanitarian health was a central theme. Colleagues from our R2HC programme presented findings on the Situation Analysis: Exploring Linkages Between the Climate Crisis and Humanitarian Health and discussed integrating affected communities into these conversations.

1. Addressing the Climate Crisis in Health Initiatives

Findings from our analysis revealed a dearth of evidence on how crisis-affected populations experience climate-related health impacts. Collaborating with CARE, discussions focused on integrating climate resilience into South Sudan’s Boma Health Initiative. Such localised initiatives offer valuable lessons, though the lack of publication and sharing of these practices limits broader learning.

2. Tackling Undernutrition Amid Climate Challenges

A technical roundtable on undernutrition explored potential sites for testing interventions, including regions like Southern Malawi facing recurring droughts and floods. Participants also provided feedback on our upcoming Decision Tool and Resource Guide to aid practitioners in preventing undernutrition in crisis settings, slated for launch in 2025.

These discussions underscored the need to amplify evidence-sharing and ensure that voices from crisis-affected communities are integral to shaping solutions.

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WASH Innovations for a Changing Climate

The UNC Water and Health Conference emphasised the critical need for scalable and climate-resilient WASH interventions in humanitarian settings. Several Elrha-supported projects were spotlighted, including:

1. From Pilots to Scalable Solutions

The WASH sector has long relied on small-scale pilot projects to test innovations. However, stakeholders at the conference stressed the urgent need to scale proven solutions to benefit more communities. Innovations like the Gravit-eau handwashing station, Safe Water Optimization Tool, and Jengu handwashing station are advancing in this direction, building the evidence base for broader implementation.

2. Linking Climate Resilience and WASH

Climate-induced hazards, such as droughts and heavy rainfall, are disrupting sanitation systems and reducing access to safe water, exacerbating public health crises. Our commissioned research aims to identify pressing challenges in humanitarian WASH responses and prioritise areas for climate adaptation. These findings, due in 2025, will guide efforts to future-proof WASH interventions.

Across all three conferences, a recurring theme was the need for greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing to scale impact. From webinars on GBV innovations to forthcoming tools addressing undernutrition and WASH resilience, our work exemplifies the potential of research-driven humanitarian innovation. These insights and tools aim to contribute towards addressing the intersecting challenges of GBV, climate change, and public health in crisis-affected settings.

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