Bahaa Alhaffar

Public health professional and dental surgeon with a background in epidemiology, public health and disaster medicine. My work focuses on strengthening health systems and emergency preparedness in conflict-affected and humanitarian settings, particularly Syria. I have worked with Médecins Sans Frontières on outbreak analysis among Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and helped coordinate community-based information to guide the response after the 2023 Syria–Türkiye earthquakes. At the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, I contribute to work on vaccine-preventable diseases, emergency preparedness and collaboration with national public health authorities. My research spans health-system impacts of conflict, disease surveillance, disaster response and the health needs of displaced populations.

• Health systems in conflict-affected and humanitarian settings, particularly Syria
• Emergency preparedness, disaster response and community engagement
• Disease surveillance and early warning systems
• Outbreak epidemiology and response in refugee settings
• Health needs and access to care among displaced populations
• Public health consequences of conflict, including long-term and chemical-weapon-related health effects
• Evidence-informed health-system strengthening and recovery