The Need for a One Health Approach in Humanitarian Aid: the role of veterinarians and animal health professionals

Humanitarian crises, particularly those driven by conflict, forced migration, and environmental instability generate complex health challenges that extend beyond traditional sectoral boundaries. Recent geopolitical conflicts and extreme weather events have intensified global displacement, exposing the interconnected vulnerabilities of human, animal, and environmental health systems. Refugee camps and informal settlements are acute settings where these interconnections become very visible. Here overcrowding, insufficient water and sanitation infrastructure, disrupted waste management systems, and increased proximity between humans, animals, and disease vectors, elevate the risk of infectious disease transmission [1].