Bridging the Gap: Community Health Workers as a Vital Link in Humanitarian Medical Responses

Authors: Cora P. Nally, Marleen Temmerman, Patrick Van De Voorde, Adama Koroma, Monique Mitchell, Mary Adam

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a vital role in emergency medical responses, helping build trust, improve communication, and provide follow-up care. Case studies from The Bahamas and Sierra Leone show that integrating CHWs into Mobile Medical Teams (MMTs) boosts health outcomes, with Sierra Leone seeing a 32% increase in health referrals. This approach highlights the strategic, cultural, and logistical benefits of involving CHWs in emergencies like natural disasters and political instability. The paper offers a framework for improving humanitarian responses and calls for further research and policies to strengthen CHW integration in crisis settings.