International Council of Nurses reaction to deaths of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza

Responding to the shocking and heartbreaking news of the seven international aid workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK) killed in Gaza, ICN President Pamela Cipriano said, “ICN and its federation of National Nurses Associations sends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the staff from WCK, recently killed in Gaza.  There must be protection and accountability for all frontline workers, including humanitarian and health workers.

‘We reiterate ICN’s call that people in Gaza and other war zones be granted access to sufficient humanitarian aid, and that those delivering and providing that aid and care be given due protection as demanded by international law.”

ICN has repeatedly called for the end to hostilities, the protection of innocent civilians, and the protection of healthcare workers and facilities in conflict zones across the world.

On today’s Global Nursing Caucus crisis webinar, ICN CEO Howard Catton said, “The recent tragic events in Gaza, where seven WCK aid workers were killed, is a brutal example of how humanitarian and health workers are not being adequately protected. Injuries and deaths of frontline workers, including nurses, must not be allowed to continue, whether they occur in conflict zones, natural disasters or pandemics.

‘It is never acceptable for humanitarian and health workers to be considered ‘collateral damage’ in such situations, and that is why ICN is urging the International Negotiating Body that is devising the new Pandemic Treaty to include the protection of nurses and other health workers. Nurses need to be as influential as they are trusted, their voice must be heard.”