An Ethical Framework for Humanitarian Workers Involved in Paediatric Medical Evacuations

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by limited access to medical care, has necessitated large-scale medical evacuations of pediatric patients by international organizations, with countries like Romania playing a critical role. While these evacuations are life-saving and grounded in humanitarian principles, they present complex ethical challenges related to biomedical ethics, human rights, international law, equity, and the allocation of scarce medical resources.

Medical evacuations from Gaza involve selective processes in determining which patients receive care abroad, often excluding many others who may have equal or greater medical needs. This raises urgent ethical questions about fairness, transparency, prioritization criteria, and the long-term care of patients once evacuated. Additionally, the burden on host countries' healthcare systems, the psychological well-being of patients and their families, and the sustainability of such efforts pose dilemmas for both evacuating and receiving nations. During the discussion an ethical framework based on the four principles of biomedical ethics will be presented to guide humanitarian aid workers in their decision-making process.

Referent:in
Nikola Biller-Andorno
Caroline Clarinval – Stehr Boldt Fellow
Omar Saleh – Emergency care surgeon with extensive experience in medical evacuations across Somalia, Yemen, Ukraine, and beyond
Monday, 18th of August, 2025