The world's healthcare systems are facing an unprecedented and increasingly dangerous reality, as vital medical services and personnel become targets in conflict zones. A comprehensive review by Insecurity Insight highlights a staggering figure: over 19,000 documented attacks on healthcare worldwide since the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2286 in 2016, a resolution specifically aimed at protecting medical services during conflict. This alarming trend underscores a persistent failure to safeguard those dedicated to saving lives. Over the past decade, from January 2016 to December 2025, the scale of this violence has been dire. More than 3,860 health workers have been killed while performing their duties, and an additional 2,500 have been arrested or detained. A particularly concerning finding is the heightened vulnerability of local health workers, who account for over 65% of all documented killings, highlighting the profound risks faced by those on the front lines in their own communities. The expanding use of armed drones and various explosive weapons is also intensifying the devastation, causing widespread damage to health facilities and tragically increasing the number of health worker deaths and injuries. ## The Pervasive Normalization of Violence Against Healthcare The continuous targeting of healthcare has become disturbingly common, leading to severe consequences for civilians, disease control efforts, and the overall resilience of health systems. This normalization of violence profoundly impacts access to essential medical care, leaving vulnerable populations without the support they desperately need. The latest bi-monthly brief from June 10-23, 2026, details numerous recent incidents across various regions, illustrating the ongoing crisis. ## Africa: A Continent Grappling with Medical Frontline Dangers The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to be a hotspot for violence against healthcare, particularly impacting Ebola response efforts. In just one month (May 21 – June 21, 2026), at least 19 incidents of violence or obstruction related to Ebola response were reported. These included attacks on two Ebola treatment facilities, which were deliberately set on fire, and another vandalized, damaging critical infrastructure. Health workers faced repeated assaults, threats, and violent obstruction, severely hindering efforts to contain the deadly virus. Incidents included a head nurse tragically killed in Mungbere General Referral Hospital, local residents obstructing health workers from burying an Ebola casualty, and armed men storming an Adventist hospital to abduct an Ebola-positive child and her mother. Five Ebola response workers were briefly kidnapped, and two Red Cross workers were killed while supervising water supply work, despite wearing clear emblems. In Ethiopia, a health facility in Sir Iyasus kebele was looted by military personnel, further depriving communities of vital services. Nigeria experienced a horrific attack on a primary health center in Kawel village, where gunmen killed 22 people, including health workers and patients, underscoring the extreme dangers faced even within medical facilities. Meanwhile, Sudan, since the conflict began in April 2023, has recorded at least 761 incidents of violence against or obstruction of healthcare. A significant majority (over two-thirds) of these attacks are attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has led to the deaths of 211 health workers, the kidnapping of 15, and the arrest of 127. Health facilities have been damaged 216 times, with armed drones affecting healthcare in 63 incidents and maternal health services targeted in 51 attacks, showcasing a systemic disregard for medical neutrality. ## Asia: Persistent Threats to Medical Personnel and Facilities In Pakistan, a shocking acid attack on a female doctor inside Civil Hospital in Quetta severely burned her and injured a medical technician who tried to intervene. This gruesome act sparked widespread protests among doctors, highlighting the risks of violence even within medical settings. Myanmar has also seen a consistent pattern of violence since the military coup in February 2021, with over 1,943 incidents against healthcare documented by early June 2026—averaging one attack per day for more than five years. The Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) are responsible for 65% of these attacks, which have resulted in 175 health worker deaths, 932 arrests, and damage to over 509 health facilities. Recent incidents included the killing of seven health workers by explosive weapons, including airstrikes on hospitals and landmine explosions. ## Europe: Ukraine's Healthcare Under Relentless Assault Ukraine's healthcare infrastructure has endured an staggering number of attacks since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, with over 3,000 incidents recorded by April 2026, equating to nearly two attacks daily. Hospitals and clinics have been damaged or destroyed 1,632 times, 462 health workers have been killed, and 476 injured. Maternal health services have been targeted in 113 attacks. Recent incidents in June 2026 include Russian drone strikes damaging a dental clinic, pharmacies, and critically, killing a 64-year-old nurse while injuring her acquaintance. Another drone strike hit a parked ambulance, injuring a female nurse, and shelling damaged an ambulance in Pidserednie village. Such attacks demonstrate the indiscriminate nature of warfare impacting civilian infrastructure and personnel. ## Middle East and North Africa: Deepening Healthcare Crisis Lebanon has experienced the direct impact of hostilities, with Israeli airstrikes injuring two paramedics, hitting the vicinity of Hiram Hospital (injuring 10 nurses and staff), and tragically killing a pregnant nurse in Sidon. The escalating security situation also forced Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to temporarily suspend activities in Tyre following evacuation orders, severely limiting access to crucial medical support. The occupied Palestinian territory faces an acute and devastating healthcare crisis, with at least 3,327 incidents of violence or obstruction recorded between October 2023 and June 2026. A staggering 95% of these incidents are attributed to Israeli forces. In Gaza, 2,328 attacks have damaged 448 health facilities, killed 765 health workers, and led to 398 arrests, with medicine access obstructed 289 times. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, 938 attacks have resulted in 12 health worker deaths and 188 arrests, with settler-attributed attacks increasing significantly, often targeting ambulances and first responders. The vicinity of the National Hospital in Ar Raqqa, Syrian Arab Republic, was also threatened by a suicide bombing. In Yemen, two doctors, a husband and wife, were tragically shot and killed by a soldier, highlighting the extreme personal risks faced by medical professionals. ## The Americas: Healthcare in the Crosshairs Haiti's healthcare sector is gravely impacted by gang violence. MSF staff were trapped in their homes during intense clashes, forcing families to seek refuge in an MSF hospital. An MSF-supported maternity hospital was hit by stray bullets, leading to the injury of a woman and the eventual suspension of all activities, underscoring the immense challenges of providing care in deeply insecure environments. Colombia also saw a pharmacy robbery where an employee was threatened and assaulted. ## A Call for Unwavering Protection and Accountability This continuous onslaught against healthcare not only violates international humanitarian law but also undermines global efforts to maintain public health, control disease outbreaks, and provide essential services to populations already suffering from conflict. The comprehensive data presented in these reports serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for governments, international organizations, humanitarian groups, and the diplomatic community to strengthen the protection of healthcare and ensure accountability for these violations. Protecting health workers, facilities, and patients is not merely an ethical imperative; it is fundamental to human dignity and global stability.