Rossella Miccio (Emergency): Pacifism is silenced

Civilians in the crosshairs and hospitals under bombs. War tramples on international humanitarian law, and not only in Gaza and Sudan. It has already happened in Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen. NGOs report the trend is increasing and hampers the work of humanitarian workers. We spoke about this with Rossella Miccio, who is president of Emergency, the Italian association founded in 1994 to offer free, high-quality medical and surgical care to the victims of war, landmines and poverty.

Have politicians responded to your reports?

No, yet it is a problem for the entire international community. In addition to bombs, bureaucracy also hampers essential services in conflict areas. At least in the past there were excuses, now there is a total lack of sense of shame.

Is the peace movement in crisis?

On the contrary, it is strong and transversal, interfaith and secular. Perhaps it is fragmented, but the real issue is visibility. The only one who can speak freely about peace is Pope Francis; the rest of the movement is silenced, ridiculed or criminalized by politics. We must work on a visibility strategy.

Can you give us a concrete example of a humanitarian crisis?

Sudan. The international community fled. Our Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery in Khartoum was unique worldwide. Patients came from Countries at war with Sudan. They had a free visa and the government covered part of the cost. Last year, the Centre was only half-funded. Still, for over a year and a half we have been waiting for funding for a hospital from Italy. Peace is urgent; in the meantime, we need resources.

Women peacemakers. Is this the truth or a stereotype?

In the third sector, women are in the majority. Honestly? It is considered a world with few career prospects, therefore less interesting for men. The stereotype is in the idea that it is enough to take care of others to do good, skills and professionalism are needed. If I look at politics though, I don’t see all these women peacemakers.

How do you build peace after war?

I take the example of Afghanistan, after 20 years of war we cannot pretend that 35 million people do not exist. In economic terms and in terms of rights, the situation has worsened and women pay the highest price. We work on training as well as care; we have three hospitals, 40 clinics and an anesthesia school in Kabul. Afghan women make up 30 per cent of our staff. The fact that these women, many of whom are widows, help to support their families and the village, helps them not to not lose themselves.

By Carmen Vogani
A Journalist and author