QNI Supports ICN Campaign for Peace in Ukraine

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) #NursesforPeace campaign was launched last week in response to the invasion of Ukraine by its neighbour Russia.

The QNI is one of more than 130 National Nurses Associations that are members of the ICN and we wholeheartedly support the campaign.

We ask all nurses in the UK to join us by sharing the campaign, signing the statement calling for an end to hostilities, and if you are able to by making a donation in support of the Ukrainian nurses and people.

The ICN published a very helpful update about the campaign on 18th March. 

The ICN is involved in a number of initiatives to support of Ukraine. On 25 February, the day after the start of the invasion, the ICN issued a statement calling for the protection and safety of nurses and all healthcare workers. Since then, they have been closely monitoring events and have been in regular contact with nursing associations in the region. On 2 March, a meeting was held with the Nursing Association of Ukraine, nurse leaders from across the country, nursing associations from neighbouring countries and the EFN (European Federation of Nurses Associations) and EFNNMA (European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations). Vivid and disturbing accounts of the terrible situation unfolding in Ukraine were given, reinforcing the need for international solidarity to support the people of Ukraine and end hostilities.

On 3 March, the ICN launched a global campaign #NursesforPeace and, with EFN and EFNNMA, issued a statement condemning the invasion, calling for intensified diplomatic efforts and an immediate ceasefire. In the press release you can read eyewitness accounts of nurses in Ukraine themselves.

You can back the campaign by downloading the #NursesforPeace graphic here. You can print it, use it as a screen background, and post it on social media with your photo to show your support. The ICN encourages other nursing and healthcare organisation logos to be added. All of the campaign materials can be downloaded here.

We would ask all nurses to sign the ICN petition here: https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/nursesforpeace.html

If you would like to make a donation, please do that through the ICN Humanitarian Fund. The ICN will work with nursing associations and international agencies to ensure donations are used most effectively. (The ICN website uses Swiss francs and the exchange rate is 1.22 francs to £1.)

The ICN will be continuing to monitor the situation closely and work with our members and partners to demonstrate our solidarity with nurses and healthcare workers across Ukraine and to advocate for a speedy and peaceful resolution to the war.

ENDS