WMA Resolution on Humanitarian and Medical Aid to Ukraine

Adopted by the 73^rd WMA General Assembly, Berlin, Germany, October 2022

Preamble

The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to millions of refugees who have experienced trauma and an unprecedented mental health crisis situation. Aid workers and some physicians who are assisting the refugees may not be well prepared to treat this war-related trauma.

Through the Ukraine Medical Help Fund, the WMA is leading a successful effort to provide material aid to Ukrainian refugees. The longevity and brutality of the war now require even more dedication to this effort and the expansion of aid to include mental health personnel trained in war-related trauma.

Recommendations

1. That the WMA, through the Ukraine Medical Help Fund and other appropriate means, its constituent members and the medical community, continue to send medical supplies to Ukraine and offer support to organizations providing humanitarian missions and medical care to Ukrainian refugees, resource permitting.
2. That the WMA, its constituent members and the medical community, advocate for early implementation of mental health measures, including suicide prevention efforts, and for addressing war-related trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder when assisting Ukrainian refugees. Special attention should be paid to disadvantaged groups.
3. That the WMA, its constituent members and the medical community, advocate for educational measures to enhance the understanding of war-related trauma in war survivors and promote broad protective factors for war-affected people such as employment, housing, and food stability, especially in disadvantaged groups.