The international community must take urgent action to uphold international humanitarian law, says a coalition of healthcare and rights advocates. According to a new report released today by the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC), attacks on healthcare in war zones reached a record high last year, with over 3,600 documented incidents of violence against doctors and healthcare workers.
These alarming figures paint a grim picture of the reality faced by healthcare workers in conflict areas around the world. From Syria to Yemen, hospitals and medical facilities are being deliberately targeted and destroyed, leaving millions of people without access to life-saving treatment. The SHCC report highlights the severity of the situation and calls for immediate action to protect the rights of healthcare workers and uphold international humanitarian law.
The report, titled “Attacks on Healthcare in Conflict: 2020 in Review,” documents the increasing frequency and severity of attacks on healthcare since the coalition began monitoring the issue in 2012. Last year saw a 20% increase in attacks compared to 2019, and the highest number of reported incidents since the SHCC started tracking data.
These attacks not only endanger the lives of healthcare workers, but also have a devastating impact on the communities they serve. In conflict-affected areas, healthcare facilities are often the only lifeline for vulnerable populations, providing essential medical care and medicines. When hospitals and clinics are destroyed, it not only cuts off access to healthcare, but also undermines the overall health system, leaving communities more vulnerable to disease and illness.
The SHCC report also highlights the targeted nature of these attacks, with over 80% of incidents occurring in just five countries: Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya, and Myanmar. This targeting of healthcare facilities and workers is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian objects, including healthcare facilities.
The report also sheds light on the impact of these attacks on healthcare workers themselves. In addition to the physical harm caused by the violence, healthcare workers face psychological trauma and fear for their safety, leading to a significant decline in the number of medical professionals willing to work in conflict zones. This creates a dangerous shortage of trained healthcare workers in areas where they are needed the most.
The SHCC is calling on the international community to take immediate action to protect the rights of healthcare workers and uphold international humanitarian law. This includes pressuring all parties involved in conflicts to respect the neutrality of healthcare facilities and workers, and to refrain from targeting them. The SHCC is also urging governments to hold those responsible for attacks on healthcare accountable for their actions.
But the responsibility does not solely lie with governments and armed groups. The international community as a whole must also step up and provide support to healthcare workers in conflict zones. This includes providing safe passage for medical personnel, ensuring access to essential medical supplies and equipment, and providing mental health support for those who have experienced trauma.
In addition, the SHCC is calling for increased funding for the protection of healthcare workers and facilities in conflict zones. Currently, only a small fraction of humanitarian aid is allocated towards this crucial aspect of humanitarian work. Without adequate funding, healthcare facilities and workers will continue to be vulnerable to attacks and the communities they serve will suffer.
In conclusion, the SHCC report is a wake-up call to the international community to take immediate action to protect the rights of healthcare workers and uphold international humanitarian law. The alarming increase in attacks on healthcare in conflict zones must not be ignored any longer. We must stand together to ensure that healthcare workers are able to carry out their life-saving work without fear of violence, and that communities have access to the healthcare they need. The time to act is now.
