Safeuarding Health Workers and Facilities in Conflict

Armed conflict and civil disturbances—such as riots and violent protests—pose considerable challenges to health for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Attacks on civilian health workers and facilities, as well as on patients and ambulances, infringe on human rights and obstruct access to health care in fundamental ways. Through documentation, prevention, and accountability, there is an opportunity to make substantial headway in protecting and strengthening health systems in conflict situations.

IntraHealth is a founding member of the Safeguarding Health in Conflict coalition, a group of international NGOs working to protect health workers, services, and infrastructure in times of war or civil strife. The coalition is working to:

  • Strengthen mechanisms opposing violence
  • Increase evidence of attacks
  • Hold violators accountable
  • Develop strategies for protection.

Related resources

Protection of Health Care in Armed and Civil Conflict
Health care in danger: Making the case
Health care in danger: A sixteen-country study
Responsibility for protection of medical workers and facilities in armed conflict
A grave new world
The principle of medical neutrality
World Health Assembly briefing on the protection of patients and health workers in conflict
Protecting health workers’ rights
Promoting gender equality in the health workforce
Ensuring safe workplaces

How to help

Take action and support the work of the Safeguarding Health in Conflict coalition
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