WHO, Red Cross, MSF Call for Action as Hospital Attacks Intensify Globally
WHO, International Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders issue urgent call as hospital attacks intensify in conflict zones.
Three of the world’s leading health organisations—the World Health Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Médecins Sans Frontières—have strongly criticised the global failure to protect healthcare systems in conflict zones. In a joint statement, they issued an urgent call for action, highlighting the increasing risks faced by hospitals, medical staff, and patients in war-affected regions.
The statement comes a decade after the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2286, which was meant to safeguard healthcare facilities and personnel during armed conflicts. Despite this resolution, the agencies noted that the situation has worsened, with continued and even intensified attacks on healthcare infrastructure across multiple conflict zones.
According to the organisations, violence targeting medical facilities, transport systems, and healthcare workers has continued without significant reduction. They stressed that such attacks not only disrupt essential services but also put countless lives at risk, particularly in regions already struggling with humanitarian crises. The failure to enforce international norms has weakened the protection framework intended to safeguard healthcare.
The agencies warned that when healthcare systems are no longer safe, it signals a deeper breakdown of global humanitarian values and laws. Attacks on hospitals and medical workers are not just violations of international law but also represent a broader “crisis of humanity". They emphasised that all parties involved in conflicts must strictly adhere to established rules protecting medical services.
In conclusion, the organisations urged world leaders to demonstrate strong political will and take immediate steps to end violence against healthcare systems. They reinforced the message that healthcare must never become a casualty of war and called for renewed global commitment to uphold humanitarian principles and protect those who provide and depend on medical care in times of conflict.
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