Risk, Resilience, and Response

HHI's research on Risk, Resilience and Response examines the impact of complex humanitarian emergencies and aims to find ways to improve resilience and response. Explore the individual programs below to learn more about this work. 

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Risk, Resilience, and Response

Gender, Rights and Resilience

Investigates and addresses issues relating to gender, peace, and security in fragile states

Emergency Health Systems

Emergency Health Systems

Works to bridge the gap between system development and humanitarian response and improve the quality and access of emergency care for those who need it most

Diabetes in Humanitarian Crises

Seeks to address the heavy burden of chronic disease in humanitarian settings

Window Rock in Navajo Nation, AZ

Indigenous Health Disparities

Seeks to improve the health of indigenous communities and eliminate existing health disparities

Peace and Human Rights Data

Conducts research and builds capacity in countries experiencing complex emergencies and serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law

Man with map

Infectious Diseases and Epidemics Program*

Aims to reduce the impact of infectious disease on vulnerable populations

Child in blue looking sideways and man in green and blue looking down while sitting on a bench in a room

Global Childhood Cancer

Applies evidence-based theoretical models, public health frameworks, and research methodologies t to design and implement the diverse portfolio of projects

Program on Resilient Communities

Evidence and advocacy to bolster community resilience to disasters and climate change

Children in Crisis

Addresses the critical needs of crisis-affected children and youth in humanitarian context

Urbanization and Resilience*

Investigates urban environments and crises to allow individuals, households, communities and cities to thrive

Related Publications

11/2023. Understanding Climate, Conflict, and Environmental Impacts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).Abstract

In 2022, the World Risk Report ranked the Philippines as the most disaster-prone country in the world. As such, the country is highly vulnerable to climate change, under which both the frequency and intensity of disasters are projected to increase. Yet, more frequent typhoons, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity will have especially severe consequences for communities living in fragile contexts experiencing conflict and environmental degradation. With this in mind, HHI and MSU-IIT have established a joint research area of focus: to expand and strengthen knowledge on the intersection of climate change, conflict, and the environment. Through a collaborative research initiative that examines this intersection in the BARMM, HHI and MSU-IIT seek to better inform practice and policy across the humanitarian, development, and peace and security sectors and ultimately support community resilience in conflict affected areas.

To launch this research initiative, HHI and MSU-IIT welcomed representatives from academia, local, national, and international NGOs, and community and local government leaders to MSU-IIT’s Iligan City campus for a two-day workshop entitled “Understanding Climate, Conflict, and Environmental Impacts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.”

This report documents the process of designing and implementing the workshop, summarizes its outputs, and discusses steps for continued engagement in research and practice at the intersection of climate change, environmental degradation, and conflict.

Ganesh Dhungana, Hannah Stoddard, and Vincenzo Bollettino. 9/2023. Towards Resilient Communities: Scoping Study Report | Nepal.Abstract

Nepal is a hotspot for natural hazards and has repeatedly experienced different geological, hydrological, meteorological, and biological hazards. The frequent changes in the type, magnitude, and frequency of these hazards exacerbated by changing phenomena of climatic extremes necessitate reviewing existing preparedness practices and suggesting more work on preparedness measures.


The HHI Program on Resilient Communities has undertaken a scoping study to review existing practices and identify opportunities for strengthening preparedness in Nepal. The scoping study is the first phase in a project that seeks to improve community resilience to disasters through applied research relevant to effective disaster preparedness and management.


The following report summarizes existing literature and highlights findings from a series of consultations with agencies working in disaster risk reduction and management in the country. These consultations found that despite significant progress in legislation and institutional arrangements for preparedness and risk reduction, there are still gaps in effective implementations of endorsed legislation, coordination among agencies, and resources (human, technical and financial).


The study highlights the need to capacitate government officials working at the local and national levels by enhancing understanding and knowledge of shifting patterns of hazards and its effective management techniques.


Similarly, the study also pinpoints the need for advanced trainings in search and rescue operations for key responders. The study concludes by highlighting the importance of coordination with academic and research institutions to project future scenarios of hazards for better management, indicating a need for national-level research and training programs and initiatives dedicated to disaster management.

Ronak B. Patel, Caitriona Dowd, Kelsey Gleason, Samuel Polzin, Denise Ripamonti, and Angela Garvey. 2023. Conflict and Food Systems Sudan Report.Abstract
This research sought to investigate the impact of conflict on various elements of the food system in Sudan to identify those with the biggest influence on food and nutrition security amongst people experiencing extreme poverty. This research systematically maps components of local and national food systems; identifies specific pressure points where conflict interacts with them; and proposes operational, policy and research actions tailored to supporting and strengthening food systems disrupted and transformed by conflict in Sudan.
Ronak B. Patel, Caitriona Dowd, Kelsey Gleason, Samuel Polzin, Denise Ripamonti, and Angela Garvey. 2023. Conflict and Food Systems Somalia Report.Abstract
This research sought to investigate the impact of conflict on various elements of the food system in Somalia to identify those with the biggest influence on food and nutrition security amongst people experiencing extreme poverty. This research systematically maps components of local and national food systems; identifies specific pressure points where conflict interacts with them; and propos operational, policy and research actions tailored to supporting and strengthening food systems disrupted and transformed by conflict in Somalia.
Ronak B. Patel, Caitriona Dowd, Kelsey Gleason, Samuel Polzin, Denise Ripamonti, and Angela Garvey. 2023. Conflict and Food Systems Haiti Report.Abstract
This research sought to investigate the impact of conflict on various elements of the food system in Haiti to identify those with the biggest influence on food and nutrition security amongst people experiencing extreme poverty. This research systematically maps components of local and national food systems; identifies specific pressure points where conflict interacts with them; and proposes operational, policy and research actions tailored to supporting and strengthening food systems disrupted and transformed by conflict in Haiti.
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Recent Posts

More reciprocal, cohesive local collaborations needed for disaster risk reduction in the Philippines

Massachusetts, USA — For the Philippine disaster risk reduction (DRR) system to further strengthen and be sustainable, local humanitarian actors need to conduct more cohesive and reciprocal collaborations with each other, researchers from the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) have recommended based on their recent study.

“Local organizations are best placed to prepare for and respond disasters. Our research suggests that international aid agencies continue to play a large role in the network of Philippines disaster agencies, pointing to the need to build greater ties...

Read more about More reciprocal, cohesive local collaborations needed for disaster risk reduction in the Philippines
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