DIABETES DURING HUMANITARIAN CRISES
In recent years, we have witnessed a major increase in the number of people needing humanitarian assistance globally as a result of crises such as men-made conflicts and natural disasters that have led to massive population displacements, major suffering, and an erosion of human rights including the right to health. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that, in 2023, a record 339 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection versus the 274 million people at the beginning of 2022. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that, in 2022, total forced displacement exceeded 100 million people (about half internally) – or 1 in 78 people globally forced to move. With approximately 10% of the global adult population currently living with diabetes, many of them are inevitably affected by these crises. Despite this, the provision of diabetes care and the level of preparedness of governments, health systems and communities to respond to the needs of people living with diabetes (PwD) and other people living with chronic diseases in humanitarian settings is often inadequate.
Humanitarian crises pose several challenges on affected communities including loss of shelter, power, communication, clean water, healthy food supplies, medicines and related devices and supplies, healthcare facilities, medical records; shortages of specialised healthcare personnel, as well as psychological distress. These can affect population groups in various ways depending on the type, size and nature of the affected area, the duration of the disaster, people’s experience with such disasters, local infrastructure and socio-economic situation, level of preparedness and the humanitarian support being provided.
PwD are particularly vulnerable to these disruptions, especially those affecting access to healthcare, medicines, devices and food supplies which are fundamental to the optimal management of their condition.
Moreover, the stress caused by living through a humanitarian crisis can further complicate PwD’s ability to manage their condition. In the case of people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and some type 2 diabetes (T2D), lack of access to insulin and continuity of care can be life-threatening. As well as the short-term consequences of humanitarian crises on the immediate medical needs and diabetes management of PwD, the long-term impact of healthcare disruptions (e.g., lack of screening) on the development of diabetes-related complications should not be underestimated.
It is crucial for governments, healthcare systems, PwD and their families to have emergency preparedness plans in place. Developing and investing in disasters preparation plans can help improve the effectiveness of response and recovery strategies in the event of a disaster, and it can contribute to reduce preventable casualties.
Emergency preparedness plans should define responsibilities and prepare all stakeholders to take the necessary measures to guarantee uninterrupted access to diabetes medication, integrated care, education and screening for all PwD affected by disasters. This includes, for example, the preparation of lists of PwD who would be most vulnerable in the event of a disaster, evaluating the sources and supplies chains of medicines and devices for diabetes care, having guidelines in place for the receipt and distribution of essential medicines and related devices, developing training materials for healthcare professionals on diabetes care in humanitarian settings, and disseminating guidelines on recommended actions for PwD and their families/carers.
A great number of resources have been developed to guide all stakeholders in the preparation and response phases in order to address the specific needs that PwD often face in humanitarian settings. For example, the IDF Western Pacific Region has recently updated its “Diabetes Care and Disasters” manual which provides insights on reducing the negative impact of natural disasters and promotes knowledge sharing to help individuals, communities and countries increase their resilience to natural disasters. IDF Global also provides a dedicated section on its website about humanitarian action, useful resources and calls to action for improving the provision of humanitarian relief during disasters.
In recent times, humanitarian crises such as the war in Ukraine and the earthquake in Turkey and Syria make the need for effective preparation abundantly clear. What are we waiting for?
UKRAINE NEWS
Ukraine – one year since the start of the war
February 24 marked one year since the start of the war in Ukraine. More than 2.3 million people were estimated to be living with diabetes in the country before the invasion. PwD are particularly vulnerable to disruptions in, for example, access to health services, diabetes medicines and devices, food and drinks, all of which can affect their ability to manage their diabetes in the short term and places them at risk of long-term diabetes-related complications.
We recently talked to Dr Iryna Vlasenko, Vice President of the International Diabetes Federation, about the challenges PwD in Ukraine are facing one year after the beginning of the war.
Read her interview here
The Polish Diabetes Association received another grant to support Ukrainian refugees living with diabetes in Poland
The Polish Diabetes Association (Polskie Stowarzyszenie Diabetyków) was awarded a €50,000 grant by Boehringer Ingelheim to support Ukrainian refugees living with diabetes in Poland.
Anna Śliwińska, President of the Polish Diabetes Association, explained: “This humanitarian grant will allow us to continue implementing our programme in support of Ukrainian PwD. We are very pleased to see another partner joining our support programme and donating funds for vouchers to secure the basic needs of PwD from Ukraine. We thank Boehringer Ingelheim for the donation”.
WHO/Europe: “Supporting free primary healthcare in Ukraine – the story of a Ukrainian doctor”
WHO in Ukraine has been supporting the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) to conduct costing studies with primary healthcare (PHC) providers in the country in order to safeguard free access to PHC services.
Investments to strengthen and to develop effective primary care systems are crucial for the care and treatment of people living with chronic diseases such as diabetes. The PHC level is central to the effective identification of people at risk of developing diabetes and diabetes-related complications and it is also where the majority of T2D management takes place.
Read more here
Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe: “The fundamental rights of Ukrainian children must be respected”
One year after the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe and its Civil Society Committee on the Rights of the Child, issued a Declaration calling upon Member States and international organisations to enforce respect for the fundamental rights of Ukrainian and all other children impacted by the conflict and resulting crises.
The rights of Ukrainian children to education and to health, to maintain contact with parents, and the right to life, are being severely undermined by the ongoing conflict.
We welcome the Declaration and its calls for:
- an end to attacks on education, medical facilities and other civilian infrastructure;
- increased support to ensure children have access to offline learning materials and supplies;
- strong efforts to rebuild schools and hospitals;
- the UNHRC to be allowed free and regular access to Ukrainian children in Russia;
- the end of the attacks on civilian targets.
Read the Declaration here
World Diabetes Day 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine
Last November 14, on World Diabetes Day 2022, as Kyiv was facing multiple missiles attacks, the International Diabetes Association of Ukraine organised several creative activities for children living with diabetes in the bomb shelter of the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital.
The artist Yana Vlasenko-Bernadsk helped children paint separate elements which were then combined into the "Tree of Life", with each flower representing the children hiding in the shelter as one big family - Ukraine.
Next to this, children were helped to create a model made of plaster of the world-famous bomb-sniffing dog, Patron.
The creative workshop was also attended by the famous Ukrainian singer Dmytro Monatik who sang his songs with children and their parents.
Support for people living with diabetes affected by the war in Ukraine
IDF Europe developed a platform "Connect Solidarity", which gathers information to help Ukrainians living with diabetes understand what support they can get in the country where they are displaced, and how to get it, as well as resources that can be used by healthcare professionals and people in need of medical or psychological support living with diabetes and/or other conditions.
To learn about our initiative, how you can donate, join, or support our efforts,
visit our dedicated website: www.connectsolidarity.eu
IDF EUROPE YOUTH PLATFORM
The Bulgarian Diabetes Association will host the IDF Europe Youth Leadership Camp 2023!
In 2011, IDF Europe launched the Youth Leadership Camp (YLC), an initiative aimed at nurturing a new generation of youth advocates and creating a strong pan-European network of Young Advocates in Diabetes.
Combining interactive workshops and sport activities, the YLC is an opportunity for Young Advocates to learn about different advocacy, policy and communications techniques, find out about the differences in diabetes care and daily-life realities across Europe, share their strategies on how to cope with diabetes and learn from their day-to-day triumphs and challenges.
This year, the YLC will take place in Bulgaria. We thank the Bulgarian Diabetes Association for hosting it!
The call for applications to participate in the YLC 2023 will open soon. Stay tuned!
Read more about the past editions here
MEMBER NEWS
IDF Europe stands united with the people affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria
On February 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the south-eastern part of Turkey and the northern territory of Syria, causing widespread damage, life loss, injuries and the displacement of thousands of people.
IDF Europe is in contact with our member associations which are in close communication with PwD in the affected region and which are working strenuously to provide assistance to those in need.
The Turkish Diabetes Foundation has been receiving numerous requests for insulin, medicines, insulin pens, needles, glucose meters and test strips. A nationwide “Diabetes during Disasters Advisory Committee” has been established by the Foundation to coordinate the assistance requests.
The Turkish Diabetes Foundation, in collaboration with the Turkish Pharmacist Association, has also set up a mobile pharmacy to provide medical supplies to PwD living in towns and villages which are more difficult to access.
Anyone wishing to receive information on how to donate and support PwD affected by the earthquake, is invited to reach out to us at: idfeurope@idf-europe.org.
We commend the resolve and the commitment of the local organisations and the diabetes community which are providing assistance to those in need, and we remain in contact with our members and humanitarian aid organisations to ensure the continuity of care of for all PwD affected by this tragic event.
Read more here
IDF EUROPE NEWS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
IDF Europe Twinning Programme
We are delighted to announce that the IDF Europe twinning programme will continue in 2023. We are currently supporting six of our member associations to establish strategic collaborations and work on common projects that can help them grow their capacity by building on their national expertise.
We are looking forward to seeing each collaboration take shape and to helping our members maximise the impact of their activities by connecting, giving and receiving support.
If your association should like to be considered for the twinning programme, please contact martina.boccardo@idf-europe.org.
Learn more about the programme on our website.
We are hiring!
IDF Europe is looking for a new Project and Administration Officer to join the team!
To learn more about the position, visit our website here.
Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae and a cover letter to idfeurope@idf-europe.org.
Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, therefore sending applications as soon as possible is advisable. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.
The successful applicants are expected to start as soon as possible.
IDF EUROPE ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION WORK
World Cancer Day 2023
On February 4, on the occasion of World Cancer Day, we called for stronger action and innovative collaborations in the cancer field.
Like diabetes, cancer is a noncommunicable disease (NCD). According to the WHO, NCDs account for 74% of all deaths globally. Many NCD cases and deaths could be prevented and/or delayed through promoting health-enabling environments, addressing the socio-economic determinants of health, tackling modifiable risk factors and conducting screening early. For those people already living with NCDs, a holistic approach is required to improve quality of life and health outcomes.
Early action greatly increases not only chances of survival but also reduces the risk of complications and overall healthcare expenditure. But there exist great inequalities in access to screening and quality care, between and within countries.
It is time to close the care gap and focus on improving health equity, for all people living with, or at risk of, NCDs, everywhere in the world.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023
Often in history, women and girls have not been credited for their scientific discoveries. On February 11, on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrated all those who have made contribution to research and science – whether they are known by name or not.
On the day, we communicated about a renowned woman in insulin history: Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin. She is one of only five women to have received the Nobel Prize for chemistry. Dedicating her life to crystallography and researching the structure of certain molecules, she was finally able to solve the structure of insulin in 1969.
This made it easier for researchers to understand and manufacture the life-saving substance, roughly 50 years after insulin had first been discovered.
World Day of Social Justice 2023
On the occasion of World Day of Social Justice, on February 20, we called on policy makers to address problems created by poverty and implement policies that support health-enabling environments and tackle social inequalities.
Access to healthcare is based on many factors which can be socially unfair. Many socio-economic determinants of health have worsened in the past years.
By overcoming barriers and unleashing new (work) opportunities, better housing, and other social policies, we can build healthier communities and reduce the risk of developing T2D and its complications among vulnerable groups.
NEWS FROM EUROPE
WHO/Europe High-Level Forum: "Health in the Well-Being Economy"
On March 1-2, WHO/Europe is holding its first “Health in the Well-Being Economy” Regional Forum, gathering high-level representatives from ministries of health, finance and economy, together with government advisors on recovery, resilience and sustainable development policies, public health policymakers, and representatives of national and international banks, nongovernmental organisations, the United Nations and European Union agencies.
The WHO/Europe “Health in the Well-Being Economy” Regional Forum will provide a platform for sharing evidence, practical examples and country experiences on how countries are already shifting investment, spending and resources.
Read more here
Launch of WHO–OECD report on the burden of insufficient physical activity in Europe
WHO/Europe and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently published the joint report "Step up! Tackling the burden of insufficient physical activity in Europe", which focuses on the importance of physical activity for preventing premature death and on the economic burden associated to insufficient physical activity in EU countries.
The findings presented in the report include policy options to increase physical activity levels, improve population health and reduce healthcare expenditure.
Read more here
EU-FUNDED PROJECTS
Interview with Mia Bajramagic, Type 1 Diabetes Advocate and IDF Europe Coordinator of the Trials@Home Patient Expert Panel
IDF Europe is a consortium member of the EU Innovative Medicines Initiative research project, Trials@Home, which aims to reshape clinical trial design, conduct and operations, by developing and piloting standards, recommendations and tools for the definition and operationalization of decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) in Europe
Within the project, IDF Europe has established a Patient Expert Panel (PEP) to facilitate the engagement of PwD and to ensure that their experiences, needs and preferences are heard. Mia Bajramagic, T1D advocate and IDF Europe Project Coordinator answered some questions about the role of IDF Europe and the PEP in the project.
Read the interview here
The project is currently entering the clinical phase, in which the principles and protocols developed over the last three years will be implemented.
On March 30-31, the Trials@Home consortium members will hold the project's semi-annual meeting in Valencia, Spain. PEP members will also attend the semi-annual meeting and lead one of the sessions.
ISLET – annual meeting
IDF Europe is part of the EU Horizon 2020-funded project “ISLET – Advancing Innovative Stem Cell-based Therapy for Diabetes in Europe”.
The project aims to build and implement a new and innovative programme for producing and marketing human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) for the treatment of people living with T1D.
The ISLET consortium members held the project’s annual meeting on February 21-22, in Munich, Germany. During the annual meeting, partners shared updates on the development of the project and agreed next steps.
Within the project, we initiated a dialogue between scientists and young PwD to explore the best ways of broadening understanding of scientific research among the general public, wich wil be further expanded over the coming months.
Lear more about the project here
MMD ACTIVITIES
MEPs Mobilising for Diabetes 2023 Joint Meeting
On 28 February, MEPs Mobilising for Diabetes held the 2023 joint meeting to reflect on the success of the Diabetes Resolution adopted in November, and discuss future activities focused on reframing the diabetes narrative and building a stronger diabetes ecosystem to involve all key stakeholders in shared decision-making.
The new Diabetes Resolution is an important step forward towards reversing the rising number of people living with diabetes in Europe, and the MMD group stands ready to continue its work in ensuring that the ambition to improve diabetes prevention and management results in substantial impact on the quality of life of PwD.
Stay tuned for the upcoming activities of 2023!
UPCOMING EVENTS ACROSS EUROPE
WHO/Europe – “Health in the Well-Being Economy” Regional Forum
Copenhagen and online, March 1-2, 2023 | For more information, visit the website here
DIA Europe 2023 – Advancing Health Priorities
Basel, March 22-24, 2023 | For more information, visit the website here
16th International Primary Care Diabetes Europe Conference (PCDE) – New challenges for Primary Care in Diabetes Management
Barcelona, June 15-17, 2023 | For more information, visit the website here
Ninth edition of the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) Influenza Conference
Valencia, September 17-20, 2023 | For more information, visit the website here
European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 59th Annual Meeting
Hamburg, October 2-6, 2023 | For more information, visit the website here
International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2023 Virtual Congress - Diabetes Complications and Diabetes in Crisis
Online, December 4-7, 2023 | For more information, visit the website here
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