Update, 21 March 2024 - We published a statement, Paediatricians call for protection of children and families in the Middle East
As a child health organisation, our overriding concern is, and always will be, the impact conflicts such as these have on children. RCPCH urges all parties in the current conflict to observe and respect the laws of war, and to ensure – as an immediate humanitarian measure – a corridor of access with regard to Gaza to enable supply of resources, including essential medicines, critical for basic human survival needs.
RCPCH Global Officer Dr Susan Broster said:
We are horrified by the extreme loss of life in Israel and Palestine during this period and call on all parties to protect children from harm, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
We also appeal to the international community to ask for swift action to come together to stop the violence and provide immediate aid and support to children in need. We urge the immediate return of all hostages, and the implementation of ceasefire without delay. Those who are providing aid and medical assistance must be able to safely access children and their families with lifesaving services and supplies – wherever they may be.
We have also written to the UK Government to ask that does what it can to help ensure the protection of children from harm, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
For RCPCH members, we have put together signposting to resources and links that you may wish to read, use and take forward. We have aimed to identify a range of resources which will be useful to paediatricians.