Health equity is critically undermined in health emergencies, such as conflict settings. The interplay of violence, displacement, climate disasters, pandemics and the collapse of healthcare systems creates a landscape where health inequities are exacerbated. Women, children, health and care workers, older people, and persons with disabilities of all ages are disproportionately affected, facing increased health risks and barriers to accessing essential care.

We call on governments and the international community to:

1. Prioritize marginalized and at risk groups in crisis responses and ensure humanitarian aid reaches these groups, including children
2. Collect and use gender, age and disability disaggregated data to inform equity based responses
3. Include women, survivors of violence, children, youth, older people, persons with disabilities, and community leaders in planning and implementing crisis response strategies.
4. Deliver tailored health interventions, including rehabilitation and palliative care for women, children, adolescents, older people and persons with disabilities, addressing their unique needs in emergencies.
5. Ensure and protect UHC, with a focus on the needs of women, girls, adolescents, including comprehensive maternal, sexual and reproductive health.
6. Ensure uninterrupted delivery of all essential medicines, vaccines, reagents, assistive technologies, medical device spare parts and medical supplies and ensure access to safe WASH to crisis-affected areas
7. Hold those accountable for deliberate attacks on health systems and health and care workers most of which are women
8. Provide security training, protective equipment, and legal protections to frontline health professionals.
9. Urge the UN, regional organizations, and global actors to position the protection of health and care workers, health systems, and equitable health access as central components of peace and security agendas.
10. Diversify the production of essential health technologies and strengthen production capacity in LMICs
11. Enhance global funding streams such as the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies and establish innovative financing tools to respond swiftly to health crises.

Ultimately, fostering health equity in conflict settings not only saves lives but also lays the groundwork for sustainable recovery and resilience, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.