On 31 August 2009, Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), meeting in Tripoli, declared 2010 to be the Year of Peace and Security in Africa. Therefore, today, 21 September 2010, Africa commemorates International Day of Peace, under the theme, Make Peace Happen, The commemoration provides an opportunity for renewed efforts to make basic services available to populations in conflict affected areas.
African countries have committed themselves to achieving certain health targets through various global and regional declarations. These include the Millennium Development Goals, the International Health Regulations (2005), the Abuja Declaration on universal access to HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria services and the Ouagadougou Declaration on Primary Health Care and health systems. The realization of these health and development goals would not be possible without sustainable peace and security on our Continent.
In Africa armed conflict is one of the biggest challenges faced by people, and directly or indirectly affecting health. Violence is a major cause of mental and physical illness, injury and death, the breakdown of health systems and reduced access to health services. The increased incidence of communicable diseases, limited access to water and sanitation, psychosocial effects, malnutrition and other health and social consequences are also among the major challenges that countries in conflicts face. This ultimately hinders attainment of the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other health targets.
Women and children, the most vulnerable members of communities, are often caught up in the crossfire in conflict situations; however the Day of Peace offers an opportunity for hope and cessation of violence against them. The health sector is among the most challenged during conflicts, despite international laws providing for protection of health services at such times. Health facilities should not be targeted or used for military operations during conflicts. In the event of armed conflict, warring factions should ensure the safety and functionality of health facilities including the safety of health workers. Health facilities are expected to be safe havens for people during an emergency. The facilities and their staff must be regarded by all parties - particularly combatants during conflicts - as neutral and must not be subjected to any act of violence.
Sadly, we have witnessed assaults on patients and medical personnel, destruction of health facilities and denial of access to medical services. Health workers are forced to flee the fighting and medical centres close as hostilities escalate. Yet that is the time when those services are most needed to attend to casualties. To underscore the importance of protecting health facilities and their functioning in times of emergencies and humanitarian crises, the theme for World Health Day 2009 was "Save lives. Make hospitals safe in emergencies". In addition, considering the impact of conflicts on health and development, WHO has developed a framework called ‘Health as a Bridge for Peace’ for which it is carrying out advocacy. This is a multidimensional policy and planning framework for supporting health workers in efficiently delivering health services in conflict and post-conflict situations, strengthening peace building and ensuring lasting health gains in the context of emergencies, conflicts and disasters,
The WHO Regional Offices for Africa and for the Eastern Mediterranean, in partnership with the African Union Commission and other UN agencies and partners, jointly advocate health as a bridge for peace in conflict areas. The message to all parties is that the health of the people is the most precious and invaluable asset deserving optimum care and priority even in conflict situations. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to build peace in African countries by promoting health.
To mark International Day of Peace this year, countries facing conflicts will organize activities to increase community awareness, addressing the most important and priority health problems. These include the provision of primary care services to populations trapped in conflicts, encouraging community participation in health development, identifying vulnerable groups of the community and referring them, where necessary, for treatment.
WHO is committed to supporting African Member States, especially those affected by conflicts, to pursue health development based on the principles and values of Primary Health Care, emphasizing equity, solidarity, social justice and contributing to conditions for stability and peace.
We commend the wisdom of Heads of State and Government of countries of the African Union in declaring 2010 as the Year of Peace in Africa. We join our voices to theirs in urging cessation of hostilities to enable even symbolic delivery of critical services on the International Day of Peace.
Finally, WHO commits itself to mobilizing the resources needed and other international actors in support of health services for peace and development.