NCDs are responsible for 75 percent of deaths worldwide, and strokes and heart attacks are estimated to be up to three times more likely after a disaster, they said.
To save more lives, they will gather in Denmark this week to ensure NCD care and treatment are included as a standard part of humanitarian emergency preparedness and response.
Conditions worsen during crisis
“People living with NCDs in humanitarian crises are more likely to see their condition worsen due to trauma, stress or the inability to access medicines or services.” saying the head of the World Health Organization (WHO). Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The WHO convened the three-day meeting along with Denmark, Jordan, Kenya and the UN refugee agency UNHCR, which opened in Copenhagen on Tuesday.
The number of crises that affect people's health has been increasing, they reported.
Last year, WHO responded to 65 graduated health emergencies around the world, up from 40 a decade earlier. UNHCR also issued 43 emergency declarations to expand support in 29 countries, the highest number in decades.
The UN estimates that 300 million people around the world will need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2024, and more than half will need emergency healthcare.
Families gather at a site for displaced people in Tabarre, Haiti.
Humanitarian plan of 674 million dollars for Haiti
Moving on to Haiti, where the UN, the Government and its partners have launched a $674 million plan to meet humanitarian needs this year.
The plan seeks to provide food, shelter, health services, education and protection to 3.6 million people. saying UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric speaking in New York on Tuesday.
He said it comes in the context of a serious protection crisis for millions of people in Haiti.
In 2023, the country recorded the highest number of murders, kidnappings, lynchings and sexual assaults in the last five years. Furthermore, almost one in two Haitians is food insecure and basic services are on the brink of collapse.
Human rights expert praises peace efforts in Central African Republic
An expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council has urged the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) to continue its efforts for peace and stability.
Yao Agbetse, an independent expert on human rights in the Central African Republic, concluded a ten-day visit to the country on Tuesday.
He welcome the Government's efforts to expand security to important parts of the territory, while highlighting the remaining challenges beyond urban areas.
“Despite progress, daily insecurity persists due to armed groups entrenched in remote regions, particularly in forests and mining sites,” he said in a statement.
The rights expert referred to recent incidents, such as an attack on the village of Nzakoundou, located in Lim-Pendé prefecture, where the 3R armed group allegedly attacked army checkpoints, causing civilian casualties and deaths.
Call for accountability
Condemning the violence, he highlighted the importance of holding perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable.
“The use of explosive devices in several prefectures has further aggravated the situation, causing civilian casualties, especially children, and disrupting essential activities such as schooling and agricultural activities,” he added.
He also called for support for demining efforts, urging technical and financial partners to provide assistance to the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and integrate demining specialists into the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MINUSCA.
Independent experts are part of the so-called Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council, based in Geneva.
They receive their mandates from the Council, are not UN staff and do not receive any payment for their work.
