In April of 2022, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, questioned whether “the world really gives equal attention to Black and white lives” given that conflicts in the Middle East and Africa received a “fraction” of the concern that Ukraine did.1 The awareness of the medical community of the impact of ongoing conflicts on the health of civilians can turn into advocacy and contribute to mobilizing humanitarian assistance. Beyond conflict-related injuries, conflict also hastens the spread of infectious diseases, leads to malnutrition and mental illness, and interrupts critical access of patients with non-communicable diseases to necessary healthcare.2 

The distribution of humanitarian aid to populations struck by disasters and poverty is not necessarily just nor based on pure needs. Factors such as explicit and implicit biases, media coverage, geopolitical interests and special obligations toward certain countries may influence the decisions of the donors.1,3,4

Both Ukraine and Ethiopia are undergoing violent conflicts that have greatly impacted national health systems and have caused deaths and suffering of civilians... Accedi per continuare la lettura

 

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