Social determinants of health in countries in conflict - What is GIS ...

Chapter 2
Approaches
2.1 Definitions
This publication focuses on countries experiencing “armed conflict” and its aftermath;
“armed conflict” is a better term than “war”, as the legal definition of war is controversial.
Armed conflict has been defined as “a contested incompatibility that concerns government
and/or territory where the use of armed force between two parties, of which at least one is
the government of a state, results in at least 25 battle-related deaths in one calendar year” [8].
In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, armed conflicts involve the use of armed force
by the government of that country or an external state. They are fuelled by “collective
violence” on the part of people who identify themselves as members of a group and by
external political forces—governmental or nongovernmental [1].
Stated briefly, by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), “Territory
is considered ‘occupied’ when it is actually placed under the authority of foreign armed
forces, whether partially or entirely, without the consent of the domestic government.
A situation of occupation confers both rights and obligations on an occupying power.”
[9].
At one time or another, all or parts of the six countries in the Region which currently
or very recently have experienced armed conflict also experienced a “humanitarian
crisis”, an almost total breakdown of authority and security, which requires an
international response to protect civilians, who are the main casualties.
2.2 Sources of information
This publication draws on reports from civil society in affected countries and an
extensive review of published and grey literature. Huge quantities of grey literature and
on-line resources of varying reliability currently exist. An attempt has been made to focus
as much as possible on specific issues, such as the conditions of daily life and health for
those caught up in conflict. Where possible, sources published in peer-reviewed literature
and official reports have been used.
The collection of materials from civil society, using a qualitative research approach,
was coordinated by the Association for Health and Environmental Development
(AHED), a Cairo-based facilitator for civil societies in the Region. AHED staff identified
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