Improving child health in post-conflict countries: can the World Bank Contribute?

Abstract

This paper provides a number of key messages. First, children, particularly under five years, experience the highest mortality, morbidity and mental health impairment in conflict-affected settings. Second, a health system's ability to provide adequate health care to its population is severely affected by conflict. Third, there are approaches that have been effective in reducing the negative effects of conflict on children. Fourth, the case studies of World Bank operations illustrate that the Bank has an important role to play in conflict settings. Successful operations exist and have been characterized by early engagement, partnerships and donor coordination, sound planning for the transition from relief operations to longer-term health strategies, strong institutional support to Ministries of Health and other stakeholders, adequate and flexible financing instruments and delivery of basic health packages. Fifth, the Bank can strengthen its efforts to address the health needs of children affected by conflict by making the needs of children an essential and explicit part of its work in conflict settings, focusing more on the mental health of children, improving its information sharing within the Bank, adapting and streamlining procurement procedures, developing toolkits, and training staff on how to better incorporate child health in conflict and post-conflict operations, for example during the needs assessment phase of a program.