International Humanitarian Law provides legal protections for health care workers and medical facilities in unequivocal terms. Despite such legal protection, health care workers and health facilities in conflict zones have been the subject of specific attack in increasing numbers by both state forces and non-state actors. These attacks have necessarily compromised health care delivery with hospitals being targeted, ambulances being hijacked and health care personnel being threatened, kidnapped, injured or killed. The consequences on communities struggling against the backdrop of conflict have been devastating.

The Adelaide Red Cross Club will be hosting a Q&A Panel debate that addresses the question ‘Should healthcare workers be allowed into conflict zones given the risk to their own security?’ Associate Professor Captain Dale Stephens RAN of the Adelaide Law School will be part of a panel including Steve Cooper and Petra Ball from the Australian Red Cross and Joule Li from Insight (the Global Health Group of the University of Adelaide) that will address these issues under the broad banner of ‘Healthcare in Danger’. Ms Catriona Standfield (Youth Delegate to the UN Commission on the Status of Women) will be mediating the event, which will be held at Napier Lecture Theatre G04 on Monday, 30 July 2012. To RSVP or for further info please contact: redcross@auclubs.com.au