Attacks on health workers, hospitals, and clinics in conflict zones surged by 25% in 2023, setting a record high. The rise can be attributed to new conflicts like those in Gaza and Sudan, with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Myanmar also experiencing a persistent flow of attacks.
The Safeguarding Health in Conflict coalition urges for national and international prosecutions for war crimes and crimes against humanity related to assaults on healthcare. This includes incidents such as violence towards health workers, obstruction of healthcare, and brutality against health facilities.
The report shed light on the horrifying trend of utilizing drones armed with explosive weapons to target health establishments, presenting a grim new dimension in attacking healthcare in conflict zones.
'Violence against healthcare workers and facilities has escalated to alarming levels,' said Leonard Rubenstein, the coalition's chair from Johns Hopkins. The report highlighted deliberate targeting of workers and the lack of accountability, showcasing a worsening trend in respecting laws protecting healthcare.
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