Amid abstentions, support for Ukraine and rejection for Russia at WHA

The World Health Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution condemning Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, which has created a health care emergency.

Eighty-eight countries — including the U.S. and U.K. — voted in favor of the resolution, titled “Health Emergency in Ukraine and Refugee Receiving and Hosting Countries, Stemming From the Russian Federation’s Aggression.” Twelve countries voted against the resolution, 53 abstained, and 30 were absent.

A counterproposal from Russia was rejected by member states, with only 15 votes in favor. Countries that voted for the resolution included China, Cuba, and Nicaragua, while 70 nations abstained.

The adopted resolution condemned the “Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, including attacks on health care facilities documented via the WHO’s Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care.” It characterized Russian actions as “a serious impediment to the health of the population of Ukraine,” with “regional and wider than regional health impacts.”

Member states debated whether the resolution was politicizing a health issue — to which the U.K. said, “War is a health issue.”

“Russia is asking you to look away from the gruesome reality, to pretend it isn’t there,” said Bathsheba Nell Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva. “This isn’t about politicization. This is about the health of millions and the need to hold Russia clearly accountable.”