A register of paediatricians willing to work as volunteers in war zones could improve the health of children in such areas, said speakers at the international task force conference of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in London last week.

The register would, however, be only a first step, and a more cohesive strategy needs to be developed. An effective plan would have to involve the medical colleges, non-governmental organisations, donors, and the armed forces.

Professor David Baum, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, emphasised the importance of a comprehensive but cautious approach: “The responsibilities of …