Global Primary Care

Humanitarian and conflict

Guidance for primary care in emergencies, displacement and armed conflict, adapted from WHO, UNHCR and Sphere guidance and the WHO emergency health kits. The section is organised in four parts: the first days of a response, continuity of care, specific risks, and protecting patients and staff.

Sphere, WHO and IAWG guidanceThe first 72 hours: setting up primary care in a crisisTriage, priority services, the Interagency Emergency Health Kit and the minimum package for the first days of a response.Open WHO, UNFPA and UNHCR guidanceClinical care after sexual violenceSurvivor-centred care, first-line support, emergency contraception and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, with the time limits that matter.Open Sphere and WHO SSAWorking safely when health care is under attackStaff safety, protecting patients and records, keeping the clinic neutral, and documenting attacks on health care.Open WHO and Sphere guidanceMalnutrition in emergenciesScreening with MUAC and oedema checks, deciding between outpatient and inpatient care, and the medical care malnourished children need.Open IAWG MISP and SphereMaternal and newborn care in a crisis (MISP)Safe birth, emergency obstetric referral, essential newborn care and contraception, built on the Minimum Initial Service Package.Open IASC, WHO/UNHCR mhGAP-HIG and SphereMental health and psychosocial support (mhGAP-HIG)Psychological first aid, the priority mental, neurological and substance use conditions, and keeping psychotropic medicines going in a crisis.Open WHO, UNHCR and Sphere guidanceContinuity of NCD care in emergenciesKeeping people with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and chronic lung disease on treatment when a crisis disrupts health services.Open WHO, GTFCC and Sphere guidanceCholera, measles and other outbreaks in campsCase definitions, rehydration plans, oral rehydration points, isolation and vaccination for the outbreaks that kill most in crowded settings.Open Sphere and WHO guidanceRapid health assessment and surveillanceWhat to count, what to report, and how to give early warning of outbreaks in the first weeks of a crisis.Open

Adapted from WHO guidance; not endorsed by WHO. This page paraphrases and adapts the WHO publications listed under Sources, which are licensed CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO; the adapted text is shared under the same licence for non-commercial education. Reasoning GP is not affiliated with WHO or any other organisation named here. Use it alongside your national guidelines, essential medicines list and formulary, and your clinical judgement. Doses are given only where they come from a WHO source; otherwise follow your national guideline or formulary.