News

Introduction This brief summarizes the current Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. On May 17, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern...

Over the week of March 18–25, 2026 the Advancing Local Integrated Global Health & Climate Network ALIGN team conducted an intensive field visit to Manila, Philippines to explore partnerships at the intersection of climate change and health. The team met...

The Weintz Award Fellow recognizes a Harvard-affiliated faculty member or postdoctoral fellow whose work reflects the values and impact of this year’s awardee. In alignment with MSF’s legacy and HHI’s mission, the Fellow will be awarded for demonstrating...

At a moment when the global humanitarian system is under acute strain, marked by shrinking donor commitments and increasing political influence over where and how aid is delivered, the decision to honor Médecins Sans Frontières reflects the enduring...

When it comes to humanitarian aid, simple data collection and counting is essential. If medical supplies are needed after a natural disaster, it’d be helpful to know how many people are sick or injured. If schools need to be rebuilt, it’d be helpful to...

Humanitarian workers in the field often need to quickly count and categorize people—for example, individuals fleeing a disaster crossing border checkpoints—to help assess a population’s needs. Doing this with pen and paper is inefficient but using a phone...

As we enter 2026, we are reflecting on the radical changes that have occurred over the past year and the future of the sector. Over the next several years, the global humanitarian sector is likely to experience a period of sustained disruption—one that is...

Q: How did HHI come to be? A: I was directing a humanitarian center at Johns Hopkins and my Harvard colleague Jennifer Leaning had started a humanitarian crises and human rights program in 1999 at the Harvard FXB Center for Health & Human Rights. In 2004...

Award recipients are required to: Acknowledge HHI’s contribution on published materials and other publicity. Submit a written report upon completion that may be used by HHI and HUNAP for communications purposes on social media, reports, website, and other...

Michael VanRooyen, MD, MPH – Director: The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative The humanitarian sector stands at a critical juncture, confronting deep structural shifts that will redefine its future. Central to these changes is the transformation of the U.S...