Berlin, Germany, 14 May 2023 — The International Rescue Committee (IRC), the Center for Public Health and Human Rights at Johns Hopkins University, Insecurity Insight, and Physicians for Human Rights, with support of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), have successfully concluded an 18-month project aimed at ending attacks on health systems in conflict zones. Funded by the European Union (EU), the collaborative effort brought together 17 national frontline organisations and utilised data, tools, and advocacy to document and prevent attacks on health facilities, workers, and patients, and reduce their impact.
Each day, violence in conflict areas endangers the lives of health workers and patients, impeding the delivery of essential healthcare services, despite their protected status under international law. More than two billion people living in areas affected by conflict and violence depend on these frontline services to survive and recover. In 2022 alone, nearly 2,000 attacks on healthcare facilities, staff, patients, and transport were documented, highlighting the urgent need for improved respect for health systems and access to healthcare in such areas.
Key outcomes of the project include:
1. Operational Analysis and Uptake:
- The Safeguarding Health in Conflict Annual Report, based on data from frontline organisations and media monitoring verified and consolidated by Insecurity Insight, was downloaded by over 20,000 users worldwide. It provides a comprehensive global analysis of the situation, as well as a country-specific analysis.
- In-depth analyses on countries specifically affected by this type of violence, such as Myanmar, Nigeria, South Sudan, Syria, Sudan, and Ukraine were produced, shedding light on the challenges faced and informing tailored security planning and training.
- The gendered impact of violence against healthcare in Syria, particularly on sexual and reproductive health care and rights, was explored through a joint study.
- UN Member States, and others in a position to change policy, were engaged to challenge and change current practices.
2. Evidence-Based Advocacy & Action:
- Global and national advocacy initiatives targeted governments, NGOs, and key stakeholders to implement policies protecting health personnel and facilities. Events, statements, and joint action workshops were organised to facilitate dialogue and create action plans.
- The project's detailed study on Ukraine informed the work of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, while advocacy notes on the right to health in South Sudan were published.
- The project contributed to discussions on missing persons in Syria, emphasising the vulnerability of medical professionals. Training sessions on international law and security concepts were conducted for public health staff and partner organisations in South Sudan and Nigeria.
3. Inclusive Collaboration and Coordination:
- Collaboration was fostered with 17 frontline organisations in Nigeria, Ukraine, Myanmar, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as state, UN, and civil society actors at regional and global levels.
- Joint efforts supported the development of the Joint Operational Framework, promoting integrated work between health and protection clusters.
- A toolkit titled "Evidence that Protects Health Care" consolidated the more than 20 responsive tools developed or reviewed as part of the project, facilitating the uptake of best practices.
The project yielded important lessons, emphasising the need for frontline workers' involvement in data collection and action, the need to break down silos between response actors, country-specific solutions, technology integration, and the use of complementing data collection systems to address inherent information gaps.
Recognising that lasting change takes time, project stakeholders will continue pursuing activities and outcomes beyond the project's formal closure in 2023. Funding opportunities will be sought to empower frontline organisations, advocate for policies, and undertake monitoring and research.