GENEVA — Most of the healthcare attacks occurred in Ukraine, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian territory. Violence against medical infrastructure and staff also took place in Myanmar, Iran, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Russia, Syria, and Nigeria.

Heavy weapons were the most frequently reported means of attack on healthcare in 2026. The organization documented forty-four incidents involving the abduction, arrest, or detainment of healthcare workers and patients during this timeframe. Detention of healthcare workers accounted for most of these cases, affecting 94 people. "What we are witnessing are multiple forms of violence," said Altaf Musani, WHO Director for Humanitarian and Disaster Management.

"These are not simply statistics. Behind every percentage is a patient. Behind every damaged facility is a service lost. Behind every interrupted service is someone who will be left without healthcare," Musani said.

The surveillance system tracks attacks on hospitals, other facilities, personnel, patients, ambulances, transport, warehouses, and supplies. In the occupied Palestinian territory, all 36 hospitals in Gaza have been damaged. Only half of the hospitals in Gaza remain partially functional, and primary healthcare in the area has been impacted by the conflict. In Sudan, 37 percent of healthcare facilities were reported non-functional in 2026. Only three percent of assessed healthcare facilities in Sudan had inpatient care during the same year.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo faced twelve verified attacks on healthcare since declaring the current Ebola outbreak in May 2026. This Bundibugyo outbreak is the largest and fastest-growing outbreak ever recorded in the country as of August 2026. A study of 69 attacks in northwest Syria found that outpatient consultations fell by 51 percent the following day. The reduction in outpatient consultations continued for up to 37 days after attacks.

Since 2018, more than 10,400 attacks on healthcare have been reported across 29 countries and territories. These historical attacks have resulted in approximately 5,700 deaths and over 8,000 injuries. The World Health Organization has verified more than 3,000 attacks affecting health facilities, ambulances, warehouses, and supply chains since the start of the conflict in Ukraine.

Musani stated that not a single incident has entered the accountability system. The World Health Organization does not have the mandate or expertise to hold parties to a conflict accountable for attacks on healthcare. The agency does not collect nor verify information on perpetrators as it lacks the capacity to address the question of who is responsible.

Why It Matters

The scale of violence against healthcare providers disrupts essential services for populations already facing crisis conditions. With heavy weapons frequently used and facilities damaged or rendered non-functional, patients lose access to critical care including inpatient services and outpatient consultations. The impact extends beyond immediate casualties to long-term service interruptions, as seen in Syria where consultation rates dropped for weeks following attacks.

The lack of accountability mechanisms means that perpetrators face no consequences through the current international health monitoring framework. While the World Health Organization documents the scope and severity of these incidents, it cannot identify or sanction those responsible. This gap leaves the root causes of the violence unaddressed while the humanitarian toll continues across multiple conflict zones.

Timeline

Between January and August 2026, the World Health Organization recorded more than 900 attacks on healthcare. Healthcare attacks between January and August 2026 also occurred in Myanmar, Iran, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Russia, Syria, and Nigeria. Attacks on healthcare between January and August 2026 resulted in at least 900 deaths and more than 1,400 injuries.

Most healthcare attacks between January and August 2026 occurred in Ukraine, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian territory. Forty-four incidents involving the abduction, arrest, or detainment of healthcare workers and patients were recorded between January and August 2026.

Sudan, 37 percent of healthcare facilities were reported non-functional in 2026. Sudan, only three percent of assessed healthcare facilities had inpatient care in 2026. Heavy weapons were the most frequently reported means of attack on healthcare in 2026.

What's New

Syrian Arab Republic has its capital in Damascus and is located in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan. It is classified by the World Bank as a low income economy. The Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as of August 2026 is the largest and fastest-growing outbreak ever recorded in the country. PureSource News previously reported that One Nation Releases Policy Package Including WHO Withdrawal. The World Health Organization was established in 1948.