Contribution 2017-2019 to WHO Project “Attacks on Health Care”
To demonstrate and reinforce its engagement in promoting the protection of the medical mission, SDC’s Humanitarian Aid supports a project conceived and implemented by WHO, whose overall goal is to make sure that essential life-saving health services are provided to emergency-affected populations unhindered by any form of violence or obstruction. Based on the collected data, the project will launch advocacy policies and promote the issue through, among others, the exchange of best practices.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Global |
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR
Protection, access & security
|
01.01.2017
- 31.12.2019 |
CHF 600'000
|
- Health workers everywhere can provide health care in a safe and protected environment;
- Health workers are protected, resilient and equipped with knowledge and resources;
- Parties to conflict understand and uphold their responsibilities under International Humanitarian Law;
- Health care delivery is not disrupted by attacks; and
- All forms of violence against health care stop.
- First, the project will develop a body of evidence to better understand the extent and nature of the problem and its consequences to health care delivery;
- Second, the project will increase commitment to action through strong advocacy for an end to attacks on health care, the sanctity of health care in all circumstances, the delivery of health care unhindered by violence, and the application of International Humanitarian Law;
- Third, the project will develop and promote the implementation of best practice for the prevention of attacks and the mitigation of their consequences to health service delivery, particularly through the actions of WHO’s country offices, Member States and other health actors in countries facing emergencies.
- World Health Organization
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Material relief assistance and services
Aid Type Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F09838
| Background |
Attacks of medical structures deprive people of urgently needed care, endanger health care providers, undermine health systems and long-term public health goals, and contribute to the deterioration in the health and well-being of affected populations. For every health care professional who dies or flees, for every hospital that is destroyed, scores of people are denied health care. Each medical professional takes years of education and professional development – usually borne by the national budget and supported by a family. Each hospital that is destroyed is a significant economic loss to the country. To react to this tragedy, the United Nations Security Council voted Resolution 2286 which is calling for the reinforcement of the medical mission’s protection as a component of the protection of civilians. Through this four-year project, WHO will support UN Resolution 2286 by promoting the minimizing of disruptions to health care due to violence, and will intensify its collaboration with key Member States and partners that have been instrumental in moving this issue forward, like Switzerland. |
| Objectives |
|
| Target groups | WHO Member States, in particular their Health Ministries, and all the partners within and beyond the health sector who will contribute to put an end to attacks on health care in emergencies. |
| Medium-term outcomes | The expected outcome is to minimize disruptions to health care delivery resulting from attacks during emergencies. |
| Results |
Expected results: |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Credit area |
Humanitarian aid |
| Project partners |
Contract partner United Nations Organization (UNO) |
| Coordination with other projects and actors | Informal group on follow-up of SC RES 2286; ICRC, MSF, Save the Children |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 600'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 600'000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 600'000 |