Today, armed conflict affects predominantly civilians, especially women and children, often through the disruption of food supplies and public health services created by complex emergencies. Paediatricians have a duty to ameliorate the effects of war on children. They may do this by advocacy and invoking the United Nations (UN) Charter on the Rights of the Child in their daily work or through direct involvement. If they undertake the latter, they should be suitably prepared in order to reduce risk, to both themselves and others, and to maximise the utility of their contribution. The armed forces have a role to play in the relief of complex emergencies, and some paediatricians may choose to contribute by this means.
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