Supporting knowledge sharing through the Thematic Working Group on Health Systems in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings
NB This is an update on an earlier case study.
Over the last 15 years, the ReBUILD research consortium has promoted research on health systems in fragile and conflict-affected settings (FCAS) and networking between research groups and practitioners globally. Proactive support to the Thematic Working Group on Health Systems in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings (TWG FCAS – opens new tab) of Health Systems Global (HSG – opens new tab) has been crucial to international advocacy.
What problem is being addressed?
As described in the 2023 case study, in 2010 when ReBUILD began (more on ReBUILD here), FCAS were largely overlooked in health systems research. Few researchers focused on these settings, and those who did were poorly connected to one another. As a result, there were many gaps in the evidence base.
ReBUILD brought together researchers from different groups and institutions working on the topic to:
- draft a research agenda (see Woodward et al – opens new tab),
- advocate for more and better health systems research in FCAS, and
- to raise the profile of the work that was already being done.
In 2013, Tim Martineau (LSTM) and Suzanne Fustukian (QMU), both members of ReBUILD, worked with HSG to help guide and develop thinking. They were among the co-founders of TWG FCAS which was approved in 2014.
ReBUILD and the TWG FCAS have been extremely successful in raising the profile of FCAS in the health systems research field. HSG’s Global Symposia have specifically included themes and sessions on FCAS. There are now multiple academic journals exclusively focused on the topic and a growing number of articles and resources, including the ReBUILD website and the Eldis repository [opens new tab] to which ReBUILD and the TWG FCAS contributed. However, there is still a need to connect researchers and practitioners for knowledge management, dissemination and networking purposes. To this end, ReBUILD has remained closely engaged with and involved in the TWG FCAS.
What did we do?
Building on early successes, ReBUILD’s support to the TWG FCAS has continued. From 2020, ReBUILD researcher Maria Bertone (QMU) was the TWG Steering Committee Vice-Chair, while Egbert Sondorp was Chair (KIT/ReBUILD Consortium Advisory Committee). In 2025, Maria took on the role of Chair, and other ReBUILD members became actively engaged as TWG FCAS Advisory Group members (Wesam Mansour and Ibrahim Bou-Orm, LSTM) and Communication Coordinator (Karen Miller, LSTM). This close engagement has further established the central role of ReBUILD in driving the TWG FCAS’s debates and activities, and reinforced ReBUILD’s engagement with the community of researchers and practitioners working on health systems in fragile settings.
As of March 2026, the TWG FCAS has 2,217 members across the globe, including researchers, practitioners, technical advisers and implementers, policy makers, donors, and frontline providers of health care in fragile settings. HSG has agreed to continue supporting the TWG until at least 2028.
The TWG has established itself as an important convening body for those working in FCAS, where members can exchange knowledge and information and develop networks through the LinkedIn [opens new tab] and Google Groups channels, a bi-monthly newsletter and an annual “business meeting” which is open to all members. Face-to-face meetings are also held, usually around the Global Symposia which is held every two years.
ReBUILD has been part of the core group in charge of providing strategic direction for the group since its inception in 2014, and has supported communications and knowledge generation and sharing, producing or co-producing key content, such as blog posts, webinars and web features. Furthermore, ReBUILD members have continued to ensure that evidence from ReBUILD is regularly fed into the debates, knowledge dissemination activities and the advocacy of the TWG FCAS and the communities it represents. For example:
- ReBUILD and the TWG FCAS worked together on the topic of Health Systems Strengthening in FCAS, with a study led by Maria Bertone in collaboration with International Rescue Committee, World Vision and the broader TWG FCAS membership. The work was initially presented at the HSR 2024 symposium and has subsequently been presented widely (linking with other networks, such as BOND and Action for Global Health via a webinar) and is under review for publication.
- ReBUILD members worked with the TWG FCAS on an organised session at the Global Symposium in 2024 on the inclusion of refugees into national health systems [opens new tab].
- ReBUILD is currently working with the TWG on an organised session for the 2026 Symposium on the impact of aid cuts on fragile settings and the resilience of health systems, bringing together evidence from the case studies developed by ReBUILD with that of other groups and researchers.
- The TWG newsletter [opens new tab] regularly features ReBUILD studies and work.
- ReBUILD members have led and/or participated in webinars organised for TWG FCAS’s “Talking Points” series and associated blog posted published by HSG such as:
- Health systems reconstruction in Syria [opens new tab] – November 2025 (Fouad Fouad and Ibrahim Bou-Orm)
- No health without peace: Health justice in armed conflict settings – June 2024 (Wesam Mansour)
- Health workforce under stress: impact of crises on human resources for health and the policy responses [opens new tab] – January 2024 (Maria Bertone)
Impact
Through its longstanding engagement in core strategic roles within the TWG, ReBUILD has influenced the community of researchers and practitioners working on health systems in fragile settings, ensuring that its work is focused on the most pressing issues in the field, that evidence is shared, and that strong learning networks are created:
- Through the TWG, ReBUILD identified, reached out to and supported research teams and individual researchers working on health systems research in fragile settings to strengthen their capacity, foster collaboration networks and share evidence.
- The TWG newsletter, largely prepared by ReBUILD staff, plays a critical knowledge-sharing role, showcasing ReBUILD work but also the work of the wider community.
- As leads in the Steering Committee and Advisory Group, ReBUILD members have reinforced their leadership in the field, influencing expert panels and knowledge communities, both by sharing ReBUILD-generated evidence to shape debates, share knowledge and promote advocacy activities of the TWG, but also by strengthening the visibility and legitimacy of ReBUILD as a generator of knowledge.
- Within the TWG FCAS community and beyond, ReBUILD is a well recognised source of high-quality, relevant guidance and evidence for the global community.