A global initiative
Health Care in Danger (HCID) is an initiative of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement aimed at addressing the issue of violence against patients, health workers, facilities and vehicles, and ensuring safe access to and delivery of health care in armed conflict and other emergencies.
We work in three distinct but interconnected areas:
A public awareness campaign
Highlighting the humanitarian impact of violence against the medical mission, the Life & Death campaign seeks to broaden public understanding of and support for international and national initiatives for the protection of health care.
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Consolidating and improving field practices and national responses to violence
HCID supports the implementation of concrete, practical measures and operational responses at national and local levels to prevent violence and safeguard health care in armed conflict and other emergencies. Our goal is to ensure that governments strengthen domestic law on this issue and that these measures become standard practice for all concerned.
DOWNLOAD THE HCID PUBLICATIONS ON MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF HEALTH CARE.
The mobilization of a broad Community of Concern
The Community of Concern is a catalyst for change, supporting, at the local level, the implementation of recommendations and measures to protect health care. It is made up of health professionals, governments, weapon bearers, civil society representatives, NGOs, international organizations and more. Together with this community and through research, debate, consultations and workshops worldwide, the HCID project has identified a number of recommendations and practical steps to safeguard health-care services.
CALL FOR CHANGE, JOIN THE HCID COMMUNITY OF CONCERN
HCID is supported by the following organisations:
IFMSA
The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) envisions a world in which medical students unite for global health and are equipped with the knowledge, skills and values to take on health leadership roles locally and globally. Founded in 1951, it is one of the world’s oldest and largest student-run organizations. It represents, connects and engages every day with a network of 1.3 million medical students from 130 national member organizations in 122 countries. The IFMSA has a long track record in human rights, peace and humanitarian action. Its Standing Committee on Human Rights and Peace (previously the Standing Committee on Refugees) has been working since 1983 to empower and mobilize medical students to promote and protect human rights and peace, and introduce them to humanitarian action through capacity building, field projects and cooperation with other organizations. The IFMSA is part of the HCiD initiative.
ICN
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nursing associations, representing more than 16 million nurses worldwide.
The ICN works to ensure quality nursing care for all by promoting sound global health policies, improving nursing knowledge, raising the profile of the nursing profession and ensuring a competent and satisfied nursing workforce.
The ICN is part of the HCiD initiative to protect patients and health workers in conflict zones, and endorses the Ethical Principles of Health Care in Times of Armed Conflict and Other Emergencies.
IHF
The International Hospital Federation (IHF) is a global, non-profit, non-governmental organization representing hospitals and health-care organizations. It aims to foster the exchange of knowledge and promote international cooperation in the field of health care.
The IHF is part of the HCiD initiative to support global and national efforts aimed at ensuring safe access to health-care services in times of armed conflict and other emergencies, and specifically at improving the safety of health-care facilities. In this framework, the IHF chairs the HCID working group on the safety of health-care infrastructure and has conducted a global survey on the resilience of health-care facilities, whose findings are presented in the white paper entitled HCID Project: The Safety of Healthcare Facilities.
ICMM
The International Committee of Military Medicine (ICMM) is a neutral and impartial intergovernmental organization. It was founded in 1921 to foster professional cooperation between national military health services and to facilitate the exchange of scientific knowledge and practical expertise in military medicine. The ICMM aims to promote respect for international humanitarian law and medical ethics by organizing and sponsoring courses and workshops on these topics. Its other activities include hosting regular scientific conferences and publishing an international scientific review. Through its work, the ICMM tries to actively promote peace, tolerance and mutual understanding. The ICMM is a member of the HCiD initiative.
WCPT
Founded in 1951, the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) is the only international association committed to promoting physical therapy worldwide. The WCPT operates as a non-profit organization and is registered as a charity in the United Kingdom. Its 112 member organizations represent more than 350,000 physical therapists.
The WCPT’s policies aim to:
- oppose the unintentional or intentional use of landmines, nuclear, chemical and biological agents, and other weapons of armed violence; and
- support the Health Care in Danger initiative’s efforts towards ensuring the safety and security of health-care professionals.
The WCPT uses its news and social media channels to raise awareness among the general public on these issues.
WFME
The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) is a non-governmental organization that seeks to improve the quality of medical education throughout the world. Its partners include the World Health Organization and the World Medical Association.
The WFME and its partners work together to improve health care for all by:
- developing medical education standards;
- promoting the accreditation of medical schools;
- managing the World Directory of Medical Schools.
Through its member associations, the WFME raises awareness of the Health Care in Danger initiative and promotes the incorporation of the principles of international humanitarian law in medical education curricula.
WMA
The World Medical Association (WMA) is a global federation of national medical associations, representing millions of physicians worldwide. Acting on behalf of patients and physicians, the WMA promotes the highest possible standards of medical care, ethics, education and health-related human rights for all.
The WMA has a long-standing commitment to protecting health care, in line with the principles of humanity and impartiality and international humanitarian and human rights law.
The WMA is a close partner of the HCID initiative and, through its member associations, works to protect health-care professionals and promote respect for medical ethics at the national and international level. The WMA also cooperates with other partners to raise awareness of threats to health-care services and to find solutions.