Scientific Day 2014: The Role of Evidence in Humanitarian Aid

Sarah Venis and Philipp du Cros reflect on the theme of this year’s MSF scientific day which will be streamed live online on May 23^rd.

This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide in which between 500,000 and a million people were brutally killed. The international community failed to act and MSF concluded that “you can’t stop genocide with doctors”. The aftermath of the genocide included analysis of the failures of humanitarian aid and led to moves to improve its quality and accountability. But how far has humanitarian aid moved since then? In the past year, the bloody conflicts in Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan and Syria have reached unspeakable levels of violence that have tested the limits of humanitarian assistance. Last month, three MSF colleagues were among 16 people killed during a meeting at the MSF hospital in Boguila CAR. MSF activities have been scaled down in the area as a result. In 2013, unable to guarantee the safety of its staff, MSF took the difficult decision to leave Somalia after 22 years. And, last week, five MSF staff were finally released after being kidnapped in Syria in January; again resulting in MSF having to withdraw medical assistance from populations in dire need.

In the face of extreme violence and conflict the importance of research and evidence in humanitarian response can seem lessened. Yet without such evidence it can be highly uncertain whether aid is effective, or whether it could be considerably improved. At this year’s MSF Scientific Day on May 23^rd the role of evidence in humanitarian decision-making is the central question addressed by our Keynote Speaker, Jennifer Leaning of the FXB Harvard School of Health and Human Rights. On a similar theme, Paul Spiegel of UNHCR will chair a panel discussion on how humanitarian agencies should balance research and action in a session that includes research on provision of HIV care in conflict in CAR and Yemen, water quality in refugee camps in South Sudan and an epidemic of sexual and gender-based violence in Papua New Guinea.

Alongside conflict and disasters, the silent killers of malnutrition, lack of access to medicines, and neglected tropical diseases receive fewer headlines but also demand urgent medical humanitarian response. Can you prevent malnutrition in children by giving nutritional supplements after episodes of illness? How do you ensure the best treatments for Buruli ulcer and visceral leishmaniasis reach patients? And how do you address widespread stock outs of HIV and tuberculosis drugs on a national level? These are just a few of the topics that will be analysed and debated throughout the day. In addition there is a late breaker update on the 2014 Guinea Ebola outbreak as well as analysis of the Ebola response in 2012 in Democratic Republic of Congo. Other key issues addressed include the rise of artemisinin resistance in Cambodia and in a new lunch-time talks session, the role of technology in humanitarian aid.

As in the past 2 years, we will be streaming the event live online for free from the Royal Society of Medicine with a range of bandwidth options with the aim of allowing access even in areas with poor internet speeds. We hope that our online audience will again join in the debate and put questions to the researchers. Last year, over 2000 people tuned in on the day in over 90 countries, including many where MSF works. We are again very grateful to our ongoing sponsors PLOS and BioMed Central and welcome our new sponsors The Lancet Global Health, the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). This sponsorship helps cover the extra cost of putting the event online and allows us to greatly broaden the audience. We look forward to welcoming you all to participate in a day of debate and analysis on the challenges and dilemmas around evidence in humanitarian aid.

MSF Scientific Day 2014 will be streamed online live on May 23^rd 0900 – 1715 BST. Register your interest here.

Sarah Venis, Research Coordinator at the Manson Unit, MSF, UK.

Philipp du Cros, Head of the Manson Unit, MSF, UK.