A/68/297 vaccination programmes to the detriment of public health. 35 Making health facilities, goods and services available through civilian, rather than military, structures may negate such apprehension and increase access to health-care services. F. Post-conflict availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of health facilities, goods and services 32. States, in the aftermath of conflict, are likely to face depletion of resources and experience political instability and disintegration of infrastructure, including health systems. 36 Most post-conflict reconstruction takes place after conflict has subsided to a certain degree, but continues or recurs in some parts of the country. Moreover, States that have already been in conflict situations are more likely to face repeated cycles of violence, which further burdens existing health systems and resources. Additionally, such States are marked by a high burden of disease, both mental and physical. 37 33. Policies for States recovering from conflict need to focus on multiple issues such as reduction of the disease burden; immediate treatment of the injured and their long-term rehabilitation; reconstruction of infrastructures; increase in availability and accessibility of quality health facilities, goods and services; and sustainability of the health system. States should therefore formulate detailed and time-bound plans for the reconstruction of systems, including for delivery of underlying determinants of health, and restoring community and social structures, in a participatory and transparent manner. Participation of affected communities ensures responsive policies and promotes their ownership over such processes. 34. States should address imminent public health concerns, including injuries and disabilities caused during conflict, and less visible effects on health such as mental health. For example, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression are common in States recovering from conflict and should be effectively addressed. 38 Making mental health services available and accessible is essential and also helps empower people and communities affected by conflict and may enable them to bring about change in their social and political environment. 39 __________________ 35 36 37 38 39 13-42297 Dara Mohammadi, “The final push for polio eradication”, Lancet, vol. 380, No. 9840 (2 August 2012); Liz Borkowski, “Pakistan sees first polio case since vaccination camp disrupted”, Science Blogs, 9 May 2013. Available from http://scienceblogs.com/thepumphandle/2013/05/09/ pakistan-sees-first-polio-case-since-vaccination-campaign-disrupted/. Ibid.; Graeme MacQueen and Joanna Santa-Barbara, “Peace building through health initiatives”, British Medical Journal, vol. 321, No. 7256 (29 July 2000), pp. 293-296. Bayard Roberts, Preeti Patel and Martin McKee, “Noncommunicable diseases and post-conflict countries”, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, vol. 90, No. 2-2A (2012); Hazam Adam Ghobarah, Paul Huth and Bruce Russett, “The post-war public health effects of civil conflict”, Social Science and Medicine, vol. 59, No. 4 (August 2004). F. Charlson and others, “Predicting the impact of the 2011 conflict in Libya on population mental health: PTSD and depression prevalence and mental health service requirements”, PLOS Medicine, vol. 7, No. 7 (July 2012). Available from www.plosone.org/article/ info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0040593. WHO Regional Office for Europe, “User empowerment in mental health” (Copenhagen, 2010), pp. 1-14, 1-2. Available from www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/113834/ E93430.pdf. 11/24