WHO reports almost 2,000 attacks on Ukrainian health facilities during conflict
A Ukrainian serviceman of 56th Separate motorized infantry brigade sits a top of a Czech made Dana self-propelled howitzer, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Bakhmut in Donetsk region, Ukraine. Photo: REUTERS
A total of 1,940 attacks on healthcare services in Ukraine have been registered since the start of Russia's offensive in February 2022, the European branch of the World Health Organization said Monday.
The WHO said the attacks on a range of facilities, equipment and staff have intensified and the number of victims had risen since December 2023.
"This is the highest number the WHO has ever recorded in any humanitarian emergency globally to date," it said in a statement.
The UN agency noted the attacks had become increasingly dangerous.
"Last year, 24 deaths among health workers and patients were documented, but during the first 7.5 months of 2024, a total of 34 people have died from attacks on healthcare," the WHO said.
A total of 166 people have been killed and 514 injured in attacks on healthcare since the start of the conflict.
On Monday, on World Humanitarian Day, the United Nations condemned the "unacceptable" level of violence becoming commonplace against humanitarian workers, a record 280 of whom were killed worldwide in 2023.
It warned that the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is potentially fuelling even higher numbers of such deaths this year.