ICN launches #NursesforPeace bulletin on World Humanitarian Day

The International Council of Nurses marked World Humanitarian Day by publishing a new #NursesforPeace bulletin and renewing calls to end attacks on health workers. The update highlights nurse-led crisis response in 13 countries and territories as global health groups warn that violence and funding cuts are putting patients and caregivers at greater risk.

Why it matters: - Attacks on health workers, patients and health facilities are putting emergency care, community health services and humanitarian response at risk. - The International Council of Nurses is using World Humanitarian Day to push for stronger protection, accountability and enforcement of international humanitarian law. - The #NursesforPeace program shows how nurses are sustaining care in conflict zones and disaster settings, from training to direct emergency support.

What happened: - The International Council of Nurses published a new #NursesforPeace Impact and Stories Bulletin on World Humanitarian Day. - ICN renewed its call for an immediate end to attacks on health workers, patients and health facilities. - ICN also called for full enforcement of International Humanitarian Law and accountability for violations. - The World Health Professions Alliance issued a statement echoing those calls and warning about rising attacks, armed drone violence and cuts to health and humanitarian funding.

The details: - The bulletin highlights ICN-supported work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Ukraine, Madagascar, Venezuela, Sudan, Somaliland and Gaza. - The bulletin says nurses are leading Ebola infection prevention training in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. - The bulletin says nurses are supporting safe insulin administration for children in South Sudan. - The bulletin points to nurse leadership development work in Ukraine. - The bulletin also describes emergency support for nurses protecting community health in Madagascar, Venezuela, Sudan, Somaliland and Gaza. - ICN President Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano said ICN is publishing the bulletin to recognize nurses and humanitarian workers and to renew urgent calls to protect them. - Cobos Serrano said the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition recently documented 2,546 attacks on health care in 2025, including 455 health workers killed. - Cobos Serrano said many others were kidnapped and detained. - ICN said #NursesforPeace began in 2022 after nurse-led support following the war in Ukraine. - ICN said the program now works in 13 countries and territories. - ICN said the initiative is delivered with partners including Direct Relief and Laerdal. - The program provides emergency assistance, training, equipment, medical supplies, mental health and psychosocial support, leadership development and high-level advocacy. - ICN said the support helps nurses and National Nurses Associations respond to urgent needs, strengthen community and primary health care, protect nurses’ wellbeing and build leadership in crisis settings. - ICN said it has also advocated for protection of nurses and health workers through the United Nations, the World Health Assembly, the G7 and other global forums. - Howard Catton, ICN CEO and WHPA Chair, said health professionals choose patients and not sides in war. - Catton said states and parties to conflict must uphold international humanitarian law, protect health professionals, patients and facilities, and hold those responsible to account.

Between the lines: - The bulletin is both a humanitarian update and a political message aimed at governments and armed actors. - The inclusion of funding cuts alongside attacks suggests ICN sees the crisis as both a security problem and a systems-collapse risk. - The focus on nurses as peacemakers and healthmakers frames nursing as frontline humanitarian infrastructure, not only clinical care.

What's next: - ICN is expected to keep pressing governments, conflict parties and international institutions to act on protection and accountability. - The #NursesforPeace program is likely to keep expanding support for nurses working in crisis settings as humanitarian needs continue. - The WHPA statement adds pressure for stronger enforcement of protections already embedded in international law.

The bottom line: - ICN is marking World Humanitarian Day by pairing a new evidence-focused bulletin with a sharper call to stop attacks on health workers and protect the people delivering care in the world’s hardest-hit places.