Introduction

Both violent and non-violent political conflicts have negative health consequences. They are observed so clearly in the destructive impact of violent conflict on the basic infrastructure on which everyday existence relies. Shortages of clean water lead not only to dehydration, but also to a number of illnesses (Jean, 1993). Shortages of food impact within a few days on the more vulnerable members of any society, such as children and older people. Many of them will die if they continue to lack basic food. The destruction of the infrastructure also destroys the economic viability of an area.

The death of children, parents and grandparents; the death of soldiers who are children, brothers (at times also sisters), husbands and boyfriends, as well as friends to many other people in the same society, leaves a mark which takes years to overcome, if at all, though it is not observable. Those unable to live with the loss of their loved ones are likely to die earlier than would have been the case otherwise. They experience mental illness, or live an emotionally reduced life with the scar of loss.

Lack of shelter due to the destruction of houses – an all too typical reaction of a victorious army, or of an underground movement against those deemed to be informers and collaborators – leads not only to adverse health problems in the short term, but also to long-term difficulties in leading a stable life, in having a reasonable working environment and in resolving social protection issues. These can take many years to undo. Figures from Bosnia highlight that 10 years after the end of the war 70% of all housing stock is either heavily damaged or destroyed (Kljajic, 1999) and 30% of households do not have even one breadwinner (FOS, BHAS and RSIS, 2005). These figures illustrate the long-term socio-economic effects such a conflict has on the health of the population.

The health consequences of violent political conflict are socially constructed, and are interrelated to the personal, psychological and social outcomes, too. However, at times a conflict brings with it a positive health outcome, as such events make people reconsider key options.