Attacks on health care initiative: Advocating for change

WHO is developing an advocacy strategy which includes a work plan linking action undertaken at the country, regional and global levels.

WHO participates in all relevant global-level fora and coordinates regularly with other agencies who are advocating on this issue to highlighting the problem and action to be taken.

Communication products are systematically developed and disseminated through various media such as social media, news agencies and our home page.

Through our advocacy work, WHO adds a voice to the global efforts to address the issue of attacks on health care based on our constitution of ensuring the highest level of health for all. As the specialized agency of the United Nations for international public health, it is WHO’s imperative to ensure health care is protected to enable delivery of services. For this reason, our advocacy strategy’s objective is to promote the safe delivery of and safe access to health care for all without being hampered by acts of violence or obstructions. 

WHO joins forces with a multitude of partners working to mitigate the impact of attacks on health care. As one of the voices working towards this goal, WHO contributes to the global effort and complex dialogue on the topic attacks. WHO is always willing to expand its network and collaborate as necessary with all relevant initiatives.

There are many partners active in this field and WHO is one among them. For this reason, WHO maintains constant dialogues with other organizations, groups and initiatives including:

• The Global Health Cluster, and country Health Cluster partners
• The Office for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
• UNICEF’s Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM)
• ICRC’s Health Care in Danger initiative
• Médecins Sans Frontières, health programmes
• Geneva Call
• International Council of Nursing
• And other relevant organization with a shared interest to prevent attacks and better protect health care from attacks

WHO also participates in the Friends of Security Council Resolution 2286 working group in Geneva and regularly briefs Member States on the progress of the initiative.