Civilians pay in war: nurses, physicians, midwives, physiotherapists and dentists join in saying civilians pay the terrible price for war in death, injury and disease.

• Tenlastelegging: Brief Article

Geneva, 5 February 2003--Speaking with one voice, the international organisations representing a broad spectrum of the world's health professions * have spoken out against all armed conflict.

The terrible health consequences of even `conventional' war are borne overwhelmingly by civilians, with especially catastrophic effects on women and children's physical and mental health. Death and debilitating injury are coupled with threatened access to safe water, sanitation and food, undermining the health of a population and creating circumstances favourable to epidemic diseases. As infrastructure, homes and communities are destroyed and people seek safety, more families are added to the already huge population of 12 million refugees and 6 million displaced persons worldwide. Precious resources, financial and human, are diverted to war--inevitably at the expense of investment in health, health systems and education.

According to the World Health Organization, about 35 people are killed every hour as a direct result of armed conflict. In the 20th century, an estimated 191 million people lost their lives directly or indirectly as a result of armed conflict, the majority civilians.

Because of the overwhelmingly negative effects on health resulting from war, these health professions oppose any armed conflict and have chosen to speak out at this time. We strongly encourage governments and ruling parties to find non-violent and democratic means to resolve conflicts and bring about peace.

* The International Confederation of Midwives is a confederation of 83 national midwifery associations from 70 countries, founded in 1919. It aims to `advance worldwide the aims and aspirations of midwives in the attainment of improved outcomes for women in their childbearing years...