While the conflict in Marawi, Philippines, peaked in 2017, WHO’s response continued into 2018. More than 350 000 people had been displaced due to insecurity and, with suboptimal access to water, sanitation and hygiene and low immunization coverage, there was concern about potential outbreaks.

With funding support from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), WHO worked closely with local and national health authorities to expand access to essential health services for displaced and host communities, and to strengthen disease surveillance and outbreak control. WHO-supported mobile health services travelled to more than 200 barangays (districts), delivering health care to more than 17 000 patients. Six health facilities were repaired and provided with safe water supplies, and nearly 250 health workers were trained on disease surveillance and health emergency response.