IERHB

War-related Injury Team (WIT)

The War-related Injury Team (WIT) mission is to increase understanding of the impact that war-related injuries have on populations, to design and evaluate prevention measures, and to prevent injury-related morbidity and mortality in conflict settings.

WIT includes medical epidemiologists, Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers, and other public health professionals.

Focus Areas

Landmine and war-related injuries
Role of small arms in conflict
Gender-based violence
Children in conflict
Mental health in aid workers
Mental health in conflict-affected populations

CDC works in about 40 countries around the world to improve the health of populations affected by complex humanitarian emergencies such as war, famine, civil strife, disaster, genocide, drought and displacement.

More Information

WIT related publications
Complex Humanitarian Emergency Team

Notes from the Field

Jaffna, Sri Lanka: Three decades of armed conflict has led to injury and death by bombardment and small arms violence. Many parts of the country remain littered with landmines and unexploded ordnances. The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF estimates that armed groups in the country have recruited nearly 7,000 children since 2002.

The recent defeat of the rebel forces by Government forces provides an opportunity to assess the health status of a population heavily affected by conflict. Working with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health and UNICEF Sri Lanka, we are conducting a survey to assess:

vaccination coverage rates among children and health care access
the prevalence of mortality, disability and mental health conditions
prevalence of sexual violence among female children and youth

The results of the survey will help the Government and humanitarian organizations address the needs of a community emerging from war and build a healthier, peaceful future.

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