Although the current US presidential campaign has focused almost entirely on domestic issues, Americans live on a planet engulfed in horrific wars, an escalating arms race, and repeated threats of nuclear annihilation.  Amid this dangerous reality, shouldn’t we give some thought to how to build a more peaceful future?

Over the past decade and more, nuclear war has grown increasingly likely.  Most nuclear arms control and disarmament agreements of the past have been discarded by the nuclear powers or will expire soon.  Moreover, there are no nuclear arms control negotiations underway.  Instead, all nine nuclear nations (Russia, the United States, China, Britain, France, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea) have begun a new nuclear arms race, qualitatively improving the 12,121 nuclear weapons in existence or building new, much faster, and deadlier weapons.  Furthermore, the cautious, diplomatic statements about international relations that characterized an earlier era have given way to public threats of nuclear war, issued by top officials in Russia, the United States, and North Korea

One’s immediate thought on looking at any of the multitude of photos of the devastation of Gaza is a profound sense of sorrow and grief at the capacity of humans to wreak such destruction and suffering. There is mind-numbing despair at the plight of children who have lost everything—their parents, other family members, their own health, their education, their fun, their society, their future.

IPPNW was founded more than 40 years ago, and the main objective was to tell people—decision makers, physicians, students and the public about the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons and nuclear war. At the height of the Cold War, the threat of a nuclear war was palpable and even young children had fears of the end of the world. Meanwhile, in many parts of the world, bomb shelters were built that were said to protect from atomic bombs, and children were taught to “duck and cover” under the school desks were they to see an explosion flash.

On 10-11 May 2024, The Vatican’s Fratelli Tutti Foundation brought twenty Noble Laureates and leaders together for the second World Meeting on Human Fraternity. Represented by three of our four Co-Presidents — Drs. Kati Juva, David Onazi, and Carlos Umaña — IPPNW participated in the meeting and the drafting of the Declaration, “We Reject War: Let diplomacy prevail over arms. We want Peace!”, ensuring that the urgent need to eliminate nuclear weapons was captured in the final statement.

[The following statement was adopted by IPPNW’s International Council (IC) at the conclusion of our June 2024 virtual IC and Board meetings.]

Today humankind faces the twin existential threats of climate change and nuclear war. The former is already making large parts of our planet uninhabitable; far greater climate action is critically needed. For nuclear war, which could kill billions and end human civilisation, prevention is the only cure.

[The following is an edited version of a presentation made by IPPNW board member and former co-president Tilman Ruff at an IPPNW side event at the World Health Assembly in Geneva on 31 May. The event was co-sponsored by Austria, Kazakhstan, and Mexico.]

I’m honoured to say a few words on behalf of IPPNW to encourage and support renewed engagement by WHO in the issue of nuclear weapons and health, and specifically for an updated report on the effects of nuclear war on health and health services.

International law―the recognized rules of behavior among nations based on customary practices and treaties, among them the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights―has been agreed upon by large and small nations alike.  To implement this law, the nations of the world have established a UN Security Council (to maintain international peace and security) and a variety of international courts, including the UN’s International Court of Justice(which adjudicates disputes between nations and gives advisory opinions on international legal issues) and the International Criminal Court (which prosecutes individuals for crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression).

08.12.2023 More than 80,000 participants from around the globe gathered in Dubai to deliberate on the strategies to mitigate the climate crisis which, if not checked, would be catastrophic. The event is happening at a time when just at a distance of 2,600 kilometers an appalling humanitarian crisis is unfolding as a result of bombing on the innocent civilians by the Israel in Gaza. This has killed over 16,000 Palestinians of which 70% are women and children and it has caused total destruction of the infrastructure making the people homeless.

29.11.2023 Dear President, Esteemed Delegates, and Colleagues,

My name is Dr. Sally Ndung’u, a medical doctor and public health specialist from Kenya. Thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. As a health professional myself, I have a moral and professional obligation to call for a safer, healthier future without nuclear weapons.

04.12.2023 From 30 November to 12 December, the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) will take place in the United Arab Emirates. For the first time, IPPNW is sending an official international delegation to COP to ensure human and environmental health is at the center of decision-making.

14.11.2023 Our goal is the health, peace and security of all people, whether they live amid the terror and destruction of war in Ukraine, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nagorno-Karabakh or anywhere else. We know it is civilians, especially women and children, who suffer most in war. Our profession has its roots deep in our ethical obligation to provide care to all on the basis of their shared humanity and their need.

11.10.2023 The International Peace Bureau (IPB), Middle East Treaty Organization (METO), and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) are deeply concerned over the unprecedented Israeli-Palestinian violent escalation launched in the morning of Saturday, 7th October, which has already resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives. The resulting fear, panic, and uncertainty that the Israeli and Palestinian people feel in these moments demand our compassion and understanding, even as the extent to which the conflict will escalate remains unclear.

The webinar "What are the consequences of uranium munitions in the Ukraine war?" on June 2, 2023, 6 p.m., will discuss how to provide the necessary information, develop networking and actions with the aim to implement a ban on uranium weapons in the context of the Ukraine war and worldwide. The webinar is organised by the Intern. Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons (ICBUW), the Intern. Peace Bureau (IPB), Intern. Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) and the Intern. Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear War (IALANA).

11.05.2023 I was one of 15 participants from nine different countries who pedalled 500 km from Nairobi to Mombasa in five days from 20th April 2023, rallying young doctors and medical students to raise awareness and promote advocacy on disarmament, climate justice and health. During this bike tour, cyclists interacted with local communities, politicians and students, and enjoyed breathtaking views of scenery and wildlife. On our journey, we learned about each other’s cultures, shared knowledge, made friends for life, and enlightened young physicians and medical students on IPPNW’s mission to prevent armed conflict and call for a safer, happier world.

From the 20th to 25th 2023, the bike tour "A Journey from Darkness to Light" will take place in Kenya on the occasion of the 23rd IPPNW World Congress. 15 participants from Austria, France, Germany, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Nepal and the UK will take part to raise awareness on the topics "Disarmament, Climate Crisis and Health". The 500km long route will take the participants from “Silicon Savannah” (Nairobi) to Mombasa, where the World Congress will also take place. On their journey, the riders will visit various historical landmarks, encounter wildlife and come into contact with different cultures and traditions such as traditional dance and music. During the trip, there will also be a lively exchange with local communities, students and professionals along the way.

16.04.2023 By Linda Pentz Gunter and Maria Arvaniti Sotiropoulou

On March 21, 2023 Britain confirmed that it was sending depleted uranium (DU) weapons to Ukraine, prompting a response from Russian president, Vladimir Putin, that, “If all this happens, Russia will have to respond accordingly, given that the west collectively is already beginning to use weapons with a nuclear component.” Russian defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, warned that such steps moved us closer to a “nuclear collision.” Days later, Putin announced he had made an arrangement with neighboring Belarus to station tactical nuclear weapons there.

28.03.2023 Anthony Bonifasi Lyamunda received the Nuclear Free Future Award in the resistance category. He lives in Dodoma, the Capital City of Tanzania and he is the founder of the NGO CESOPE. His organization has long supported the people of Bahi, an administrative district very close to Tanzania´s capital Dodoma and the place where he grew up. Bahi is among the places in Tanzania that have known uranium deposits. Patrick Schukalla, an advisor with IPPNW-Germany on energy issues and climate, spoke with the environmental justice activist who will participate at the IPPNW World Congress in Mombasa, Kenya in April.

From January 20-22 2023, in Hamburg, Germany, more than 40 people from 11 countries and others who joined the conference online discussed the increasing threat of nuclear war due to the current war in Ukraine, including its causes. The unanimous guilt of Russia was reiterated and, in addition, a critical discussion took place on the responsibility of the West, especially on the role of nuclear weapons and nuclear sharing in European countries. Various perspectives and proposed solutions were presented and discussed, with a demonstration in Hamburg at the end of the conference.

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) acknowledge the profound adverse effects of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons on the health and well-being of all people on the planet. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises the immense public health threat these weapons pose. This threat exists independent of actual use. The war in Ukraine, even only as a conventional war, is destroying the lives and livelihoods of the people of Ukraine, their economy and importantly their environment. This produces a massive, multi-generational public health disaster.

A year on from the start of the war in Ukraine, IPPNW physicians and health professionals warn of the daily growing danger of a nuclear exchange in an international health appeal. "We once again call on all nuclear-armed states to declare that nuclear weapons will not be used. It is paramount that we step back from the brink of nuclear war, where even an accident or use of tactical nuclear weapons would be a disaster of enormous proportions and could spark an even greater nuclear conflagration, " IPPNW write, adding "The only cure is prevention".

14.12.2022 IPPNW has in the paper "Ceasefire and Peace" a collection of proposals and possible diplomatic steps to end the war in Ukraine. With every day that the war lasts longer, more people are killed, physically injured or psychologically traumatized. With each day, the danger grows that the war will spread to other states or escalate into a nuclear war. Therefore, in the opinion of the IPPNW, a negotiated solution should be the priority. The collection of ideas includes various concepts on bilateral, multilateral, scientific and civil society levels. The paper is intended to contribute to a consistent search for peaceful means of conflict resolution. The text will be continuously updated and supplemented.

The COP27 in Sharm al-Sheikh, Egypt, ends in disappointment. At least the agreement to set up a fund for loss and damage in vulnerable countries is welcomed, even if its design remains unclear. In the run-up to this year's climate summit and during the meeting in Egypt, the nuclear industry and its lobby have once again tried to assert themselves as the solution to the climate crisis. Against this background, we again refer to the international declaration of civil society: Nuclear power can never be a solution to the climate crisis.

22.08.2022 Fears of a major nuclear disaster are growing as the siege and fighting continues at Europe's largest nuclear power plant. IPPNW is calling for people to support an online petition calling for a ban on all fighting near nuclear reactors - they should be demilitarised and protected by a "safety zone" of at least 30 km. The petition also demands that Russia grant independent IAEA inspectors immediate access to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

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15.08.2022 It’s long been known a major nuclear war could destroy modern civilization and kill most of humanity. But what about a “limited” nuclear war—a conflict confined to one region, say, or involving just a tiny fraction of the world’s arsenals?

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05.08.2022 In his statement on behalf of the federation Ira Helfand pledged for the responsibility of the treaty parties, especially as the nine nulear powers ignore the treaty obligations.

Especially in the light of the war in Ukraine, Ira Helfand emphasized, the extreme danger of a nuclear apocalypse increased as Russia made threats to use nuclear weapons and NATO, particularly the nuclear powers United States, United Kingdom, and France responded with such threats as well.

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27.07.2022 Bimal Kadka describes the experience of attending the historic United Nations conference. As member of the delegation representing International Physicians for the Prevention of the Nuclear War (IPPNW) he participated at the first ever meeting of state parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in Vienna, from June 18 to 23, 2022.

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16.03.2022 IPPNW physicians in Russia and Ukraine publish a joint statement condemning the war in Ukraine and its humanitarian and nuclear consequences. They appeal to the authorities of the confronting parties and the United States to pursue swift and effective peace negotiations in order to save lives and preserve worldwide healthcare systems.

This letter calls on governments to strengthen international law on incendiary weapons in order to prevent the unacceptable human suffering they inflict. The letter is open for signature by healthcare professionals and burn survivor organizations through the form following the text of the letter. IPPNW has signed the open letter.

War causes death and destruction, also of the environment and the climate. The production of weapons, vehicles, fighter jets, and ships generates huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Military vehicles guzzle vast amounts of fuel both during exercises and when deployed. War and the military industry contribute significantly to the global climate catastrophe. The German Affiliate of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War advocates disarmament and demilitarisation, and demands a human security policy rather than military defence.

We can look with optimism or pessimism to the future.
On the negative side: it appears that we are living in a more dangerous decade compared to even the difficult episodes of the cold war. In the last two consecutive years, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the hands of the Doomsday Clock – measuring the likelihood of man-made global catastrophe – at one hundred seconds to midnight – closer than it has ever been before, due to the imminent threats of nuclear war and climate disaster. Arms control treaties are no longer upheld, and governments have started updating and expanding nuclear arsenals.

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