Diabetes care in humanitarian emergencies

Living with diabetes during a crisis means carrying both a physical and emotional burden. It’s about resilience, but it’s also about exhaustion. And it’s important for people to understand that behind every person with diabetes in a crisis, there’s a story of fear, disruption, and the struggle to keep going despite everything. (Pedro, living with type 1 diabetes, Lebanon)

Sudden onset disasters

Sudden natural or human-made disasters disrupt people’s lives and healthcare systems. These situations pose unique challenges to people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, who may be unable to access the required medicine and supplies in sufficient quantity.

• medicine shortages or difficulties in reaching distribution points
• loss of prescriptions and medical records
• damage to medical facilities
• lack of diabetes training among emergency healthcare personnel

Disruption and poor health outcomes

Emergencies can lead to disruption in food, water, and utilities, leaving people with inadequate food options and limited cooking abilities. This can lead to poor health outcomes such as increased blood pressure and poor glycaemic control. In addition, diet and exercise regimens can be affected for months after a disaster, and mental health issues can arise post-disaster.