The Impact of Armed Conflict on Human Health
1. Introduction
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), armed conflict is a public health problem. It has various impacts on human lives, and the best and evident example is the war that has led to great injuries and deaths to many people. WHO defines armed conflict as “an armed confrontation between at least two parties, in which at least one is the government of a state, with the aim of overthrowing that government or gaining control of part or all of its territory.”
There are different types of armed conflict, such as civil wars, international wars, and non-international armed conflicts. All these types have an impact on human health. The most seriousarmed conflict is an international war because it involves two or more countries. International wars can lead to a lot of damage to infrastructure and loss of life. They also have a negative impact on the economy and can cause environmental damage.
2. The impacts of armed conflict on human health
The main effects of armed conflict on human health are physical and mental health problems, communicable diseases, displacement, and death.
Physical health problems include injuries, such as gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries, and amputations. Mental health problems include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Communicable diseases, such as cholera and malaria, are also a big problem in areas affected by armed conflict. Displacement occurs when people are forced to leave their homes because of the fighting. This can lead to overcrowding in refugee camps, which can then lead to the spread of diseases. Death is the most serious effect of armed conflict. In wars, people are killed by weapons, such as guns and bombs. They can also be killed by starvation or dehydration if they are cut off from supplies of food and water.
3. The role of the international community in addressing the problem of armed conflict
The international community has a responsibility to address the problem of armed conflict. This includes providing humanitarian aid to people affected by armed conflict, working to prevent future conflicts from happening, and bringing those responsible for war crimes to justice.
Humanitarian aid helps save lives and reduce suffering in areas affected by armed conflict. It can include providing food, water, shelter, medical care, and other essential supplies. The United Nations (UN) coordinates humanitarian aid efforts through its Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA works with UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and governments to provide aid where it is needed most.
The UN also works to prevent future conflicts from happening through diplomacy. This includes mediation between countries that are in disputes with each other and sending peacekeeping missions to areas where there is potential for violence. When conflicts do occur, the UN Security Council can pass resolutions calling for an end to the fighting.
Those responsible for war crimes should be brought to justice so that they can be punished for their actions. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a court that prosecutes individuals for war crimes and other international crimes. The ICC works independently of the UN but relies on the UN Security Council for referrals of cases.
4. Conclusion
Armed conflict is a public health problem that has various impacts on human lives. The most serious effect of armed conflict is death. The international community has a responsibility to address the problem of armed conflict. This includes providing humanitarian aid to people affected by armed conflict, working to prevent future conflicts from happening, and bringing those responsible for war crimes to justice.