Caring for people affected by armed conflicts: The perspective of the International Committee of the RedCross (ICRC) on how health can contribute to trustand peace-building

Treating and caring for the wounded and sick in armed conflict isat the core of ICRC’s history, identity and values. Today, in aworld of complex and asymmetric wars and of sometimesabhorrent lack of respect for medical services, the ICRCnevertheless continues to strive for the improvement of access tomedical care for people affected by armed conflict, and to remindparties to a conflict about the importance of their respect forInternational Humanitarian Law. While traditional ICRC healthactivities like first aid, war surgery, physical rehabilitation andhealth care in detention have lost none of their relevance, otherdisciplines like primary health care, comprehensive hospital care,and mental health and psychosocial support are increasinglyproving their worth.There is no doubt whatsoever that a reliable health care systemand safe access to medical services build the foundation in termsof trust- and peace-building for any post conflict society.