The long way to post-conflict health recovery

Most armed conflicts over the past decades have been characterised by prolonged civil strife, disproportionally affecting the civil population. Displacement, affected livelihoods, deteriorated health status and economic decline are only some of the consequences. Morbidity and mortality may increase substantially, due to the direct effects of warfare, but often predominantly due to indirect effects as a result of deteriorating determinants of health, including malnutrition, increased epidemic risks, and declines in preventive and curative health services. The government, usually party to the conflict, is often not able or willing to protect its citizens.