WHO Has No Mandate Regarding Prisoners of War

Flavio Salio, head of the WHO's network of emergency medical teams, has stated that the World Health Organization has no role or mandate regarding prisoners of war. In a conversation with reporters, he noted, “This is more of a function of the UN. The WHO does not wish to see any individual injured or sick, but the WHO works with countries both during crises and conflicts and also before them, trying to ensure the preparedness levels of that country.”

Michael Ryan, Executive Director of the Health Emergency Program, added that the WHO should document cases of targeting healthcare workers during military operations. According to him, “The WHO has no ability to investigate such cases or to consider them from a criminal perspective, because such a function implies urgent medical expertise and the collection of extensive information.”