News & Events

Date: 1^st December 2024

Report of the International Seminar was organised by the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) at New Delhi on 1st December 2024 on

"HEALTH AND HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE ON-GOING WARS - THE WAY FORWARD”

An international seminar was organised by the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) at New Delhi on 1st December 2024 to deliberate on "HEALTH AND HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE ON-GOING WARS - THE WAY FORWARD”.

Doctors from various affiliates of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW)   including Australia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and different states of India, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Bihar, Maharashtra, Telengana, Tamil Nadu, Manipur, Tripura participated. They expressed serious concern at the increasing health and humanitarian crisis arising out of the on-going wars in different parts of the world. Subjects under discussion include, Increasing Nuclear dangers - a cause of concern, Possibilities of peace in Middle East, On-going wars & Global Repercussion and Global initiative for peace.

Various experts who delivered their talks include Qamar Agha- senior journalist gave his talk on “Possibilities of peace in Middle East”; Maj. Gen. (Retd) Vinod Saighal expressed his views on “Global initiative for peace”; Prof Achin Vanaik - Retired Professor of International Studies from Delhi University cautioned on “Increasing Nuclear dangers a cause of concern” and Pallab Sen Gupta - President World Peace Council spoke on “Ongoing wars and Global Repercussions”.  Dr Asoka Hettiarachchi, President Sri Lankan Doctors for Peace and Development gave a talk on “No to arms race in South Asia”, Dr Ganesh Gurung - President Physicians for Social Responsibility Nepal spoke on “South Asia as a nuclear weapons free zone”, Dr S S Soodan - Patron IDPD, Dr Arun Mitra President IDPD, Dr Shakeel Ur Rahman - General Secretary IDPD also addressed. Dr Ruth Michell from Australia and Chair of the Board of IPPNW said that the Nobel Laureates at a conference in Mexico in September ’24 have expressed serious concern at the increasing arms race which is fraught with escalation into nuclear danger. This would be catastrophic, she said. We have no medical remedy in that eventuality. The only answer is to raise a united voice for disarmament and complete abolition of nuclear weapons.

A video presentation on Militarism and Health by Dr Bimal Khadka, member IPPNW Board was shown. Dr Suraj and Dr Rajat presented a video documentary on IDPD activities.

A declaration was passed after through discussion among the participants. They expressed anguish at the failure of the global community in preventing attacks on healthcare facilities and health workers. This is against all forms of internationally accepted conventions, the declaration said. It demanded immediate steps to stop attack on health care facilities, health workers and innocent civilians, restoration of all types of humanitarian aid in war affected zones. The declaration also demanded immediate steps to plan building of infrastructure destroyed during these wars. It was felt that the UNO has to be strengthened and made democratic so as to make it effective to promote lasting peace. It also declared that the nuclear weapons possessing countries should join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) so as to respect the will of the global community and prevent any catastrophe from occurring.  

The participants decided to expand the work and to hold similar events in other countries of south Asia and also in different states of India to spread the message further.  

Dr Arun Mitra

President IDPD

Dr Shakeel Ur Rahman 

General Secretary IDPD

Date: 01.12.2024

International Seminar on

Health and Humanitarian Crisis arising out of wars

DELHI DECLARATION

In recognition of the grave humanitarian crises arising out of aggression in Palestine, Syria, Russia-Ukraine war and also several external and inter conflicts in different parts of the world, the international delegates gathered in New Delhi express deep concern over the devastating impact of the on-going wars on healthcare systems, health workers, and civilian populations. The killing of innocent children and women in large number is extremely painful. In such situations the danger of use of nuclear weapons is real and grave which would be catastrophic for which the medical fraternity has no remedy to offer. 

This declaration calls for immediate global action to end the wars, prevent any nuclear exchange and save precious human lives. It is imperative to safeguard health workers, hospitals, and essential health services, which are much needed to preserve life and human dignity in war zones.

Health workers are often among the first casualties in these war-torn regions. In Ukraine, the WHO reported over 1,300 attacks on healthcare facilities since the conflict began in 2022, causing dozens of fatalities and injuries among health professionals. In Palestine, recent escalations have led to 50% of medical facilities being partially or completely disabled, and hundreds of health workers have been killed or severely injured while serving vulnerable populations. Many of these medical professionals were reportedly killed while actively providing aid amidst bombings and attacks. Several of them developed mental health problems while dealing with the seriously injured and watching small children dying in front of them because of lack of availability of required medical equipment and medicines. The relentless attacks have severely damaged or destroyed much of Gaza’s medical infrastructure. Most of Gaza's hospitals now operate under precarious conditions, struggling with limited supplies, staff, and security threats. Only a few medical facilities remain functional, jeopardizing healthcare for millions of residents.

These attacks violate international humanitarian laws, which safeguard the neutrality and protection of health services. The decisions of the ICC and ICJ  in this regard are quite important.

The consequences are dire for civilians as well. In Ukraine, nearly 20 million people now require urgent humanitarian aid, and over 6.3 million are internally displaced, many facing life-threatening shortages of essential medicines and food. In Gaza, blockades and bombardments have displaced over 1.5 million people, severely restricting access to clean water, medical care, and shelter, resulting in thousands of preventable deaths. As per the reports 14 million people of Syria have been displaced. Similar is the situation in many countries with internal conflicts. Displacement of Rohingiyas from Myanmar and over 60000 persons displaced in Manipur in India are a few examples. The issue of food security is a serious outcome of Russia Ukraine war in African continent.

The Delhi Declaration urges the international community to:

1. Raise strong voice for lasting peace.  Effective efforts should be made by all concerned to end the war and facilitate humanitarian aid.  The call from UNO in this regard to end war and immediately be respected and implemented.
2. Protection of health workers and facilities, ensuring they are shielded from attacks.
3. Facilitate the delivery of medical supplies and humanitarian aid in these regions without restrictions.
4. Commit to long-term investments in rebuilding healthcare and other infrastructure post-conflict.
5. The UNO should be strengthened and democratised.
6. NATO, QUAD and any such military pacts be dissolved. External interventions, overt or covert on any pretext in the affairs of other countries/ regions and arms supplies to encourage wars must be stopped.
7. All the countries including the Nuclear Weapons Possessing countries should join Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
8. Cognizance should be taken of the internal conflicts in different countries by the respective concerned governments to resolve the issues amicably to avoid humanitarian crisis.
9. The SAARC should be made functional and effective through dialogue between the countries of South Asia.

By adopting this Declaration, we affirm our commitment to stand with health workers and vulnerable populations in war zones and to uphold the principles of humanitarian aid and medical neutrality. The participants decide to carry forward the message of this seminar to the masses in different forms.