LAW & POLICY NEWSLETTER

HCiD IN FOCUS

At the Heart of ICRC’s Mandate: 
Ten Years of the Health Care in Danger Initiative

This report marks ten years of the Health Care in Danger (HCiD) initiative in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The report's ten stories reflect the work that National Society staff and volunteers – acting alone and in partnership – have done over the past decade to protect health care services from violence and attack, especially in conflict settings. 

In our latest episode, ICRC colleagues Maciej Polkowski, Head of the HCiD initiative, and Juliet Kelechi Unubi, Humanitarian Affairs Adviser reflect on the evolution, achievements, and challenges of the HCiD initiative over the past decade, with a special focus on Nigeria. Be sure to listen!

The HCiD initiative in a nutshell

HCiD is an initiative of the RCRC Movement aimed at addressing violence against patients, health workers, facilities, and vehicles in armed conflict and emergencies. Ensuring safe access to and delivery of health care lies at the very origin of the RCRC Movement.  

Ten years at a glance

A call to action

Adopted at the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Resolution 5 launched the HCiD initiative and recognized HCiD as an issue of urgent collective concern in the RCRC Movement.

Gathering experts to find solutions together

The ICRC, in cooperation with States, National Societies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), seeks to identify challenges and provide practical recommendations such as the Domestic Normative Frameworks for the Protection of Health Care.

Maintaining the momentum

Adopted at the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Resolution 4 reaffirms the commitments and encourages advocacy and awareness-raising. 

Major step forward on the diplomatic front 

The HCiD initiative played a key role in diplomatic efforts to facilitate the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2286. This resolution reaffirms parties' obligations under IHL to protect health care. 

Next chapter: a strategy focusing on practical measures

The ICRC's current HCiD strategy (2020-22) and Theory of change endorsed by the RCRC Movement partners prioritize the implementation of practical measures at the local and national levels.  

Influencing weapon bearers to protect health care

Read these case studies and recommendations for health care providers and law enforcement agencies interacting in emergency situations.

A practical guide on the measures armed forces can take to protect health care workers and to limit the impact of armed conflict on access to, and delivery of, health care services.

IHL and the protection of health care

Two dedicated Review editions on violence against health care reflect respectively on the problem and the law, and the way forward.

This legislative checklist covers the main challenges related to protecting health care during armed conflict and emergencies. 

Under the Geneva Conventions, medical personnel may not be attacked. Learn more in the ICRC's updated Commentary on Article 24 of the First Geneva Convention via our new and improved interface.

HCiD campaigns

When medical staff, whose work is to save lives, are being attacked, stigmatized or harassed, you have to wonder, has the world turned upside down?

Remember that violence against health care workers is unacceptable; depriving patients from access to health care is also unacceptable.

Why can't we save her life?  Watch to understand why hospitals, patients, and doctors are #NotATarget.

Was this email forwarded to you?

Subscribe here to receive ICRC's monthly Law & Policy Newsletter.

BLOG

EVENTS

REVIEW