Stop the violence. Protect health care

In recent months, there have been numerous attacks on healthcare professionals, medical transport and facilities in several countries, such as Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen. These incidents occur in countries with fragile health systems that are already struggling to treat the number of people affected by current conflicts. In some cases, the situation is exacerbated by restrictions on aid workers, preventing them from reaching people in need.

The attacks themselves and their aftermath raise serious concerns. These are attacks on medical personnel and facilities protected by international humanitarian law, leaving death and devastation on the trail and disrupting vital health services. Everyone involved in the Health Care in Danger initiative is alarmed by the long-term impact these attacks can have on human health.

These are not isolated incidents. The International Committee of the Red Cross has been collecting data in 11 countries through January 2012 through the project Health at Risk since January 2012. By December 2014, there were 2398 attacks on healthcare personnel, facilities and vehicles. This alarming situation underscores the urgent need for measures to prevent future violence.

The Healthcare at Risk initiative, with the support of professionals and professionals from diverse backgrounds, including governments, armed forces, humanitarian agencies, international professional associations and health services, as well as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, formulated a material body of recommendations and identified practical measures which, if implemented by all concerned, would increase the protection of health services in armed conflict or other emergencies.

As members and partners of the Emergency Health Initiative, we urge states, weapons carriers, international and national humanitarian agencies and health organizations to urgently draw attention to the recommendations arising from the Emergency Health Initiative.

In particular, we call upon the states

– make every effort to investigate and condemn attacks on healthcare personnel, institutions and medical transportation that violate international law, including international humanitarian law;

– to review their domestic legislation and its implementation to ensure that it complies with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law;

– ensure that the military is properly trained to know, respect and respect the applicable legal framework for health care protection as well as the ethical duties of healthcare personnel;

– cooperate with health and humanitarian organizations to ensure that healthcare staff are specifically trained to know, apply and maintain their legal and ethical responsibilities;

– actively seek to raise awareness of the proper use of the Red Cross / Red Crescent / Red Crystal emblem by the armed forces and the general population;

– Seize the opportunity of the forthcoming International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to further devote itself to the implementation of health care recommendations and measures in armed conflicts and other emergencies and consider making specific voluntary promises in this regard.

We require state armed forces

– Respect, in all circumstances, especially in situations of armed conflict or other emergencies, healthcare professionals, institutions and medical services and provide patients with appropriate care, regardless of affiliation;

– Revise military rules of engagement and operational practices and procedures to ensure that they incorporate health care recommendations and measures and that they are properly trained by military personnel.

We pray for all non-state actors

– Respect, in all circumstances, especially in situations of armed conflict or other emergencies, healthcare professionals, institutions and medical services and provide patients with appropriate care, regardless of affiliation;

We encourage international and national humanitarian and health organizations

– continue to advocate the maintenance of principled humanitarian action, respect for the “Ethical Principles of Health Care in Times of Armed Conflict and Other Emergencies”, approved by civilian and military health organizations in June 2015, and the protection of patients, healthcare personnel, institutions and medical transportation in armed conflicts or other emergencies, and to join in a sustained effort or launch their own initiatives for these purposes.

– Ensure that the health facilities they manage take the necessary steps to reduce the risk of violence on the premises of the facility.

Signatory organizations ¹

International Committee on Military Medicine; International Committee of the Red Cross; International Nursing Council; International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations; International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; International Hospital Federation; International Pharmaceutical Federation; World Federation for Medical Education; World Health Organization; World Medical Association.

Health care at risk

Healthcare at risk is an initiative of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to ensure safer access to and provision of health care in armed conflicts or other emergencies. This initiative requires the respect and protection of healthcare professionals, facilities and vehicles and the implementation of a series of recommendations and practical measures to protect health services and their humanitarian missions. This initiative is supported by a number of partners, individuals and organizations, members of the community’s health care community.

What can you do

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