Health in a World of Crises and Impunity: The Report of the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health–Lancet Commission on Health, Conflict, and Forced Displacement
Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Time: 9:00am–1:00pm (Geneva time)
Location: Institute of Global Health, UNIGE | Campus Biotech
Chemin des Mines 9, 1202 Geneva (Main theatre room)
At a time of escalating conflicts, growing displacement, shrinking resources, and increasing impunity, the report calls for a new paradigm for the humanitarian sector. It sets out bold and practical recommendations to rethink how humanitarian health responses are designed, governed, and delivered in some of the world’s most challenging settings.
The Commission brings together global leaders and experts committed to confronting and reshaping the humanitarian system. Its work seeks to challenge existing power structures in humanitarian health, influence global policy and practice, and amplify the voices of people affected by conflict and displacement.
Programme and registration
| 9:00-9:05 Welcome by Prof. Karl Blanchet (View video recording) |
| 9:05-9:15 Introduction by Dr. Richard Horton and Dr. Ana Mateus, The Lancet (View video recording) |
| 9:15-9:40 Presentation of the Lancet Commission report by Prof. Paul Spiegel (View video recording) |
| 10:00-11:00 Panel 1: Commissioners — chaired by Prof. Karl Blanchet (View video recording) Dr. Esperanza Martinez Prof. David Cantor Dr. Awsan Bahattab Dr. Aula Abbara |
| 11:00-11:30 Coffee Break |
| 11:30-12:40 Panel 2: Expert perspectives — chaired by Prof. Paul Spiegel (View video recording) Dr. Erika Placella, Swiss DC Dr. Moumouni Kinda, Alima Ms. Gemma Connell, UNOCHA Ms. Husna Sharifi, Scholar at Risk at University of Geneva |
| 12:40-13:00 Post Commission work (View video recording) |
This launch event provided an opportunity to engage directly with Commission members and explore the report’s key findings and recommendations. Participants had the chance to discuss the implications for humanitarian policy, practice, and partnerships in the years ahead.
This event was hosted by the Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, Faculty of Medicine, UNIGE
Resources
View video recordings of the event:
🎥 Opening remarks and report presentation by Paul Spiegel
🎥 Panel 1 — Commissioners and Next Generation Scholars
🎥 Panel 2 — Expert perspectives
🎥 Post Commission work and closing
Presentation: