Durrance-Bagale A, Salman OM, Omar M, Alhaffar M, Ferdaus M, Newaz S, Krishnan S, Howard N. Lessons from humanitarian clusters to strengthen health system responses to mass displacement in low and middle-income countries: A scoping review.
J Migr Health 2020;
1-2:100028. [PMID:
33458716 PMCID:
PMC7790453 DOI:
10.1016/j.jmh.2020.100028]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Potential scope for health-system learning from cluster responses to mass displacement.
Non-health clusters can contribute to health improvements during mass displacement.
Cluster approaches are often siloed with insufficient cross-cluster learning.
Equitable power dynamics between displaced people, humanitarian actors, and governments are still needed.
The humanitarian cluster approach was established in 2005 but clarity on how lessons from humanitarian clusters can inform and strengthen health system responses to mass displacement in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) is lacking. We conducted a scoping review to examine the extent and nature of existing research and identify relevant lessons.
We used Arksey and O'Malley's scoping framework with Levac's 2010 revisions and Khalil's 2016 refinements, focussing on identifying lessons from discrete humanitarian clusters that could strengthen health system responses to mass population displacement. We summarised thematically by cluster.
Of 186 sources included, 56% were peer-reviewed research articles. Most related to health (37%), protection (18%), or nutrition (13%) clusters. Key lessons for health system responses included the necessity of empowering women; ensuring communities are engaged in decision-making processes (e.g. planning and construction of camps and housing) to strengthen trust and bonds between and within communities; and involving potential end-users in technological innovations development (e.g. geographical information systems) to ensure relevance and applicability.
Our review provided evidence that non-health clusters can contribute to improving health outcomes using focussed interventions for implementation by government or humanitarian partners to inform LMIC health system responses to mass displacement.
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