Health Care Without Harm condemns the growing number of acts of violence and attacks on civilian populations, hospitals, health facilities, mobile medical units, and health care personnel around the world. The right to health and medical assistance must be protected at all times by parties in any armed conflict, as guaranteed by the Geneva Convention and numerous other international conventions and statutes. The destruction of health care infrastructure in conflict zones not only exacerbates human suffering but also undermines the resilience of populations, making recovery even more difficult and perpetuating the impact on the affected communities long after the conflict ends.
All parties involved in any armed conflict must adhere to the principles of international law and guarantee access to health care. The safety and secure passage of medical personnel and the integrity of medical facilities must be preserved to ensure ongoing care for patients and communities.