Statement by Dr Jaslin Salmon, Vice-President, IFRC, at the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Provisional Agenda Item 5.3 (Commission C): “Health Care in Danger: Respecting and protecting health care in armed conflict and other situations of violence”, in Geneva
Mr President, Mr Secretary, Honourable Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) very much welcomes the inclusion of this topic as an item on the Conference’s agenda and is glad to continue supporting the work that the International Committee of the Red Cross does to progress legal norms for victims of armed conflict, reflecting our shared commitment to assist the vulnerable in all situations and are interested to hear what suggestions the Committee will deliver to address this humanitarian challenge.
The issue of health-care in danger is one which is under-reported and serves both as a description of the problem and as part of the solution. It has its roots in problems of access and illustrates the very real effects of armed conflict on civilian populations.
A great number of civilians are killed or injured as a direct result of military operations, a greater number still die or suffer disability as a result of interruptions to normal health care services as a result of armed conflict. We are particularly concerned that those in the medical profession who care for the wounded and sick are at risk of being targeted while carrying out their humanitarian activities.
As a member of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, we take our commitment to working in partnership with other components of the Movement as seriously as our commitment to assist people rendered vulnerable by natural disasters, disease and food insecurity. No matter the cause, the effects of these major humanitarian challenges, be they as a result of natural disasters or wars, affect increasing numbers of people and it is our collective responsibility to alleviate such suffering.
A victim of an armed conflict is not just a soldier or a civilian who suffers directly from the fighting, he or she is also a child who cannot access his or her local hospital because the route there is unsafe, the premises has been targeted or the dispensary looted. A victim of a conflict is an old person whose health is adversely affected because a local doctor can no longer pay house calls through fear of being a target of violence en route. A victim of a conflict is a farmer who suffers from malnutrition because his fields are now a battleground strewn with explosive remnants of war.
Violence against Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers, staff, health workers and facilities thus poses a considerable public health problem, on two levels. First, by impeding or discouraging physical access to preventive and curative health care as well as basic resources such as water and sanitation, violence increases the prevalence and severity of otherwise preventable or curable diseases.
Resurgence of measles and polio outbreaks, due to poor immunisation coverage, or of water borne diseases following interruptions in the water supply, are examples of the considerable public health impact of armed conflicts. Second, the violence undermines the standing of volunteers, health and health related professionals, making their work more difficult in peacetime.
We urge our fellow delegates at this Conference to bear in mind the increasing needs of the vulnerable as they debate this agenda item and negotiate the subsequent resolution in order to ensure that the best outcome is reached to guide our work in assisting those in need over the next four years and beyond.
The IFRC stands ready, as ever, to support the work of National Societies in developing their capacity and competency to act in this area and endorses the provisions of the draft resolution which call upon the IFRC to provide such support.
Thank you.