WHO reports rising attacks on healthcare

The World Health Organization reported on August 14, 2026, that attacks on healthcare facilities, workers, and patients in conflict zones have continued to rise, averaging more than four per day in 2026. Between January and August, over 900 attacks were recorded, resulting in at least 900 deaths and over 1,400 injuries. Ukraine, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian territory account for the largest share of incidents, with attacks also reported in Iran, Sudan, Myanmar, Syria, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The WHO highlighted the use of heavy weapons, destruction of health facilities, and detention of healthcare workers, with 94 workers detained. In Gaza, all 36 hospitals have been damaged, and only about half remain partially functional; in Sudan, 37% of health facilities are non-functional. In Ukraine, the WHO has verified over 3,100 attacks since Russia's full-scale invasion, including a recent strike on a WHO warehouse. Attacks have also disrupted outbreak responses, such as in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where 12 attacks since an Ebola outbreak was declared in May have hampered surveillance and treatment. Since 2018, the WHO has verified over 10,400 attacks across 29 countries, resulting in about 5,700 deaths and over 8,500 injuries. Notably, none of these attacks have entered an accountability process.