Post by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC

In places affected by conflict, violence against those providing care and assistance has deeply affected the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including National Societies, whose volunteers and community health workers are often on the front lines of response. Medical and humanitarian personnel are protected under different rules of international humanitarian law, but both must be respected and protected at all times. They must not be attacked, threatened, or obstructed from carrying out their work. States and parties to conflict have the power and the responsibility to prevent such acts and ensure respect for their obligations under IHL.