Context for the study

As was clear from some of their statements at the March 2013 Oslo conference on the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons, beyond acknowledging the difficulties of response to assist populations in need and their lack of preparedness or capacity to respond adequately, United Nations agencies have not given the matter much studied thought. Regardless, though, of whether or not the international humanitarian system is able to respond effectively to nuclear weapon detonations in populated areas, the United Nations and other humanitarian actors such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement may still be called upon for help.

Related Subject(s): Disarmament