The rise in frequency and scale of humanitarian crises have created unprecedented challenges for the international community. A stark picture is painted by a United Nations Report from 2018 which asserts that 136 million people across the world are in need of humanitarian aid as a result of conflict, natural disasters, epidemics and displacement. This necessitates coordinated global action. The Humanitarian Aid focus area of CIH^LMU aims to facilitate this by drawing on international networks and collaboration to identify some of the most pressing, health-related humanitarian dilemmas. In this way, we hope to inspire practical solutions that are ready to be implemented.

The annual Symposia Series on Humanitarian Aid and Development Cooperation is at the heart of this focus area. It attracts international health professionals to share their expertise on a variety of humanitarian topics. Past lectures have shed light on major challenges, which range from managing HIV in countries with limited resources, to caring for survivors of gender-based violence, to improving malnutrition in children. This exchange, which allows individuals to share their hands-on experience, is invaluable to others who may benefit from these lessons.

In another capacity, CIH^LMU supports humanitarian NGOs and other institutions who work to improve health in regions across the world. This involves dispensing advice and research to organizations who are working on the ground to provide for victims of humanitarian crises. This support, along with the other activities of this focus area, are grounded in the notion that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to humanitarian aid and that the best outcomes will be reached via concerted international efforts and dialogue.