Statement supporting WHA resolution Effects of Nuclear War on Public Health

International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) statement in support of WHA resolution Effects of Nuclear War on Public Health proposed by Marshall Islands, Samoa and Vanuatu, co-sponsored by Burkina Faso, Ecuador, Fiji, Guatemala, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Micronesia (Federated States of Micronesia), New Zealand, and Peru

I am delivering this statement on behalf of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, recognised for its work to prevent nuclear war and eliminate nuclear weapons by the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize. The health imperative to end nuclear weapons before they end us has never been more urgent. 

We strongly support the resolution Effects of Nuclear War on Public Health, congratulate the Marshall Islands, Samoa and Vanuatu for leading it, thank the 8 co-sponsoring states, and urge all delegations to support it. 

This Assembly, considering the previous 1983 and 1987 WHO reports on the effects of nuclear war on health and health services, concluded unanimously that nuclear weapons constitute the greatest immediate threat to the health and welfare of humankind. Authoritative and current evidence is the crucial basis for good governance and policy. The mandate for WHO to provide authoritative evidence on this most acute existential risk to human and planetary health should never have been allowed to lapse. It is now overdue to be restored. 

Over 132 medical journals have joined at this time in publishing a joint editorial on the urgent health imperative to eliminate nuclear weapons and in strong support of the resolution now before you. 

Hopeful that after extensive consultations with states, this resolution will gain wide support, we wish to further urge delegations to ensure that implementation of the resolution is not delayed or compromised. We understand WHO's current budget crisis is challenging, but point out that the budget of USD540,000 for the proposed 4 year WHO program of work 

pursuant to the resolution is very modest, especially relative to its importance, and urge delegations to consider making specific contributions to ensure its implementation. 

Thank you.