The Faculty of Public Health unequivocally condemns all violence that threatens the health of civilian populations. With global conflict at a record high we are deeply concerned about the devastating consequences for the health of affected populations and for international public health.
The Faculty particularly condemns the targeting of civilians, health workers, and health systems, which is in contravention of international humanitarian law and violates universal human rights. This includes the destruction of homes and deliberate displacement of the population, sexual violence as a weapon of war, and the prevention of access to food, water, and medical supplies, with women and children among those most severely affected.
As well as the immediate physical risk from violence, these actions can have devastating short and long-term consequences for impacted populations, including increased risk of infectious diseases, malnutrition, and severe mental illness.
The Faculty stands with international and domestic health organisations in calling for an urgent de-escalation of violence, the protection and restoration of health systems, the establishment of effective public health infrastructure, the prevention of further harm, and the active promotion of peace.
In relation to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Faculty endorses the recent letter to the UK Government sent by a coalition of Royal Medical Colleges which recognises the critical lack of access to resources such as food, water, and effective sanitation and aligns with the Faculty’s statement made in November 2023.
The Faculty will continue to promote peace-building in all global conflicts to protect the health of populations at national and international level. The Faculty’s Special Interest Group network covers many regions that are currently impacted by conflict, and these networks of members will continue to assist international partners with evidence-based public health expertise and guidance to protect health globally.
As a professional membership body for public health specialists and practitioners in the UK and globally, many of our members will have been both personally and professionally impacted by these events. With the humanitarian impact of these conflicts so severe, it is critically important that no public health professional – or indeed anyone – be persecuted professionally, financially or judicially for highlighting the public health consequences of any conflict.
As ever, our stakeholders and wider public health professionals should be able to voice their legitimate views about humanitarian crises and engage in respectful dialogue without encountering racism. Recognising that conflict and humanitarian crises risk exacerbating structural inequalities, and with a global and UK increase in racism already prevalent – including Islamophobia and antisemitism – the Faculty will also be reviewing and strengthening our Anti-Racism Framework to ensure it remains robust, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving global context.
The Faculty has produced a list of actions that members may wish to take to support humanitarian efforts, peace-building, and safeguard their own health and wellbeing. These include donating money or expertise through established emergency response mechanisms, highlighting personal views by writing to your local MP, wellbeing resources, and how to support those who are directly impacted by conflict.
