Sphere COVID-19 Case Study #8 – Palliative care and COVID-19 – Challenges for the humanitarian sector

Many people have suffered serious illness or died of COVID-19, isolated from loved ones, a situation that runs counter to the ethical belief that people have the right to a dignified death. Palliative care – the prevention and relief of suffering and distress associated with life-limiting illness – is slowly gaining recognition as an important part of the healthcare continuum, alongside life-saving treatment in humanitarian response. A new Sphere standard now includes palliative care. The current pandemic is providing an opportunity to put palliative care on the humanitarian agenda. It's time for all humanitarian actors to document, share and learn from their stories of caring for people affected by COVID-19.