Humanitarian resilience

The impact of all crises is evident on populations and patients, especially in already fragile environments where healthcare systems are often under immense strain. These situations exacerbate existing inequalities, disrupt access to essential services, and place vulnerable populations at even greater risk. In such contexts, the role of healthcare professionals, particularly pharmacists, becomes indispensable in addressing urgent medical needs and supporting community health. In disaster and emergency settings, very often, pharmacists provide essential roles and services by supporting the distribution of medicines to patients and providing advice on stock management.

Pharmacists collaborate closely with other healthcare professionals to deliver holistic care. This interprofessional approach is crucial in crisis settings, where pharmacists’ expertise in pharmacotherapy, alternative drug therapies, good storage and distribution practices and filed management. For instance, in refugee camps and emergency response units, pharmacists work hand-in-hand with logistics teams, doctors, and nurses to assess local needs, prevent medication errors, ensure quality control and manage complex diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS in resource-scarce environments.

From war zones to the aftermath from earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and volcanoes, from pandemics to refugee camps, pharmacists provide stability in times of crisis. Their work extends far beyond dispensing medicines—they deliver clinical care, logistical support, health education, and a sense of safety to communities in distress. Their adaptability and problem-solving skills enable them to meet the unique challenges, bridging immediate relief efforts with longer-term recovery. In every corner of the world, where disaster strikes and peoples’ lives are upended, pharmacists seek to step in to fill critical gaps in healthcare delivery. By prioritising not only survival but also the quality of care delivered, they bring stability, reassurance and hope to the areas that need it most desperately.

Numerous and varied humanitarian initiatives carried by pharmacists across the globe demonstrate how adaptable the profession is depending on the crisis at hand. However, gaps exist, such as the lack of specific training for pharmacists and awareness on how they can be more engaged, and FIP will be working to address these as part of its commitment. The ultimate goal is to ensure that essential medicines and healthcare services remain accessible to vulnerable populations. By doing so, pharmacists play a critical role in safeguarding public health, mitigating the consequences of crises, and fostering resilience within affected communities. Their expertise not only addresses immediate healthcare needs but also contributes to the sustainable and resilient healthcare systems.

These activities align with the FIP Humanity Rx programme which delivers FIP Development Goal 18 (Access to medicines, devices and services) as an essential aspect of disaster and emergency situations through the continuation of treatment and access to safe and effective medicines. Other related goals include FIP Development Goal 10 (Equity and equality, FIP Development), Goal 15 (People centred care) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

To this end, the scope of this Advisory Group focuses on pharmacy in humanitarian settings. It also emphasises strengthening health system resilience so that it can readily ensure pharmaceutical care for civilian populations affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and other crises. However, military pharmacy is not within the scope of work for this Advisory Group, as there is a dedicated BPP Military and Emergency Section for this purpose. Therefore, scope is limited to non-military activities, ensuring that discussions and initiatives remain dedicated to civilian humanitarian efforts, to advise FIP and enable FIP to support pharmacists in humanitarian resilience.

Mission and objectives

To provide expertise and advice to FIP on matters related to the defined scope, by bringing together pharmacists working in humanitarian areas from across FIP membership. The Advisory Group seeks to exchange views on current activities (problem areas, best practice, emerging trends and technologies, etc.), establish new contacts, and work together on joint projects that add value and are aligned with the FIP Strategic Plan.

The main objectives of the “FIP Humanitarian Resilience Advisory Group” are:

• To provide ad-hoc technical expertise and advice on humanitarian resilience matters to FIP and its members;
• To provide ad-hoc technical expertise and advice for FIP’s collaboration with partners, namely WHO, in the area of humanitarian resilience;
• To explore global initiatives and developments in humanitarian arena and the impact on the role of pharmacists;
• To keep abreast of emerging pharmacy roles in increasingly resilient health systems;
• To provide guidance and education for pharmacists in humanitarian arena;
• To outline evolutions related to disaster and emergency settings and how pharmacists can contribute to these;
• To facilitate the gathering and sharing of information on humanitarian resilience, particularly as it applies to pharmacy.

Members

• Lucas Ercolin, Co-chair of the Humanitarian Resilience Advisory group, Brazil/The Netherlands
• Robert Moss, FIP Vice President and Co-chair of the Humanitarian Resilience Advisory group, The Netherlands
• Petra Straight, Liaison with the Military and Emergency Pharmacy Section, New Zealand

Members of the Advisory Group shall perform at least one of the following functions:

• Analyse and provide insights into the trends and challenges in delivering pharmacy services during humanitarian crises.
• Evaluate advancements pharmacy and propose their applications in resource-limited and crisis-affected settings.
• Assess the influence of emerging global health challenges on patient care and pharmacy practices in humanitarian contexts.
• Promote the development and integration of strategies to enhance pharmacy education and practice for disaster preparedness and response.
• Investigate the impact and potential of innovative services and technologies in supporting pharmacists during emergencies.
• Develop and advocate for standards, protocols, and practices to improve the delivery of pharmaceutical care in humanitarian settings.
• Identify and recommend best practices for managing supply chains, distribution networks, and pharmaceutical resources in crisis environments.
• Facilitate the advancement and implementation of tools and systems to optimise pharmacy services in emergencies and fragile healthcare systems.

Would you like to join the group? Find more information about FIP membership and further member benefits here.

Activities and resources

HRAG will provide a Foreword to the series of case studies from FIP members under Global stories in humanitarian settings, which will be published later in 2025.

Come and meet with the HRAG members in attendance at the 83rd FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 2025 in Copenhagen (31 August – 3 September 2025).

Contact: Please contact Ms Paula Cohen for more information about the Advisory Group at paula@fip.org.