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43 attacks on health care carried out since Russia-Ukraine war began: WHO

WHO chief condemns all attacks on health care, says they are against int'l humanitarian law wherever they occur

Anadolu Agency March 17, 2022

A view shows cars and a building of a hospital destroyed by an aviation strike amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Mariupol, Ukraine, in this handout picture released March 9, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS

GENEVA:

Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war on Feb. 24, the World Health Organisation has verified 43 attacks on health care, the WHO chief said Wednesday.

"WHO condemns all attacks on health care, wherever they occur. It is against international humanitarian law," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a webinar on the war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We continue to call for attacks on health care to stop."

His condemnation came as the UN Human Rights Office announced that it had recorded 1,900 civilian casualties, including 726 deaths, in Ukraine since the start of the war, saying that the actual figures were "considerably higher."

Mike Ryan, WHO's executive director for health emergencies, said the attacks flouted international humanitarian law.

"Health is becoming a target in these situations.

"It is not only against humanitarian and international humanitarian law to carry out attacks like this, but also the responsibility of all parties in conflicts" to avoid carrying them out, he said.

Tedros underlined that in its appeal for Ukraine, WHO had received just $8 million of the $57.5 million it sought.

"Huge amounts of money are being spent on weapons. We ask donors to invest in ensuring that civilians in Ukraine and refugees receive the care they need," said the WHO chief.

More than 3 million refugees have fled to neighbouring countries since the Russia-Ukraine war started, according to the UN.

Also read: Kyiv destroyed deadly samples from US-funded biowarfare labs: Russia

More than 300 health facilities are along conflict lines or in areas that Russia now controls, and an additional 600 facilities are within 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) of the conflict line.

"Tragically, Ukraine is not the only place where patients, health workers, facilities, infrastructure, and supply are under attack," said Tedros.

He added: "2022 is only 75 days old, but already WHO has verified 89 attacks on health care around the world, in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Nigeria, the occupied Palestinian territory, Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, and of course, Ukraine."

COMMENTS (1)

test | 2 years ago | Reply Hospitals should and must not be targeted in any way. I know if US did it or Israel did it then it is allowed but if Russia did it then it is against humanity. Definitely Russia should not attack hospitals better fight with armed forces if you want to continue. But when west speak of any such thing then this applies only on Russia why they didn t apply it to them when they were invading muslim countries Israelis targeted many civilian hospitals in Palestine US did strike hospitals in those muslim countries. But now it is wrongful to them Are they drunk or want to give some propaganda for their audiences. But still if there is fight it should be with armed forces better keep hospitals and medical facilities out of it but if you found that there are weapons or armed forces hiding then it can be a case.

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