Across the globe, conflict and war are tearing communities apart – and at the heart of these humanitarian crises are nurses and midwives.

Whether in makeshift shelters, bombed-out hospitals, or overcrowded clinics, our colleagues are doing what we do best: providing care, comfort, and dignity in the most impossible of circumstances.

But right now, they are under attack.

Despite the protections enshrined in the Geneva Conventions, healthcare facilities continue to be targeted in war zones. In Gaza alone, over 94% of health services have been destroyed or rendered inoperable since October 2023. Hospitals have been bombed. Ambulances fired on. Nurses, midwives, doctors killed while trying to save lives. These attacks are not just violations of international law — they are attacks on our profession, on humanity, and on the principle that healthcare must remain neutral and protected.

Why solidarity matters

As nurses and midwives in Australia, we may be far from the front lines — but we are not powerless. We are part of a global community of care, and we must with our colleagues who are risking everything to uphold the values we all share: compassion, courage, and care without discrimination.

By standing in solidarity, we are saying: we see you, we hear you, and we will not stay silent.

What you can do

The ANMF has launched a Nurses and Midwives for Peace campaign – a space for action, reflection, and support. By visiting the Nurses and Peace page, you can:

• Sign the open letter to nurses and midwives working on the front line in Gaza. Let them know they are not alone. Your messages of support will be delivered to them via the Red Cross.
• Read stories of nurses and midwives working in conflict zones — and the resilience they show in the face of unimaginable challenges.
• Support humanitarian partners, including the Red Cross and Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA, who are providing vital aid, protection, and advocacy.
• Leave a message of solidarity, hope, or remembrance — a small gesture that can mean the world to someone facing darkness.

As nurses and midwives, we are bound by a commitment to health, healing, and human rights. That commitment doesn’t stop at borders.

Now is the time to raise our collective voice – not just for peace, but for our colleagues dedicated to care under immense circumstances.

Let’s stand together. For peace. For protection. For each other.

Visit the Nurses and Midwives for Peace | Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and show your support today.