Rising Violence Against Healthcare Workers in Conflict Zones: An Alarming Trend in Africa and Beyond

According to a report by the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, there were 2562 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health care in conflict zones in 2023. This represents a 25% increase from the previous year. The majority of these incidents occurred in Africa, where over 230 health workers were kidnapped. In Haiti, gang violence also contributed to the insecurity faced by health workers.

Health workers were kidnapped in various settings, including health facilities, while traveling to or from work, during services provided in remote areas, and even from their homes. While most kidnapped health workers were released within days or weeks, some incidents involved ransom demands, indicating that they were targeted due to perceived wealth. Unfortunately, eight kidnapped health workers lost their lives at the hands of their captors.

In some countries like Cameroon and the DRC, non-state armed groups targeted health workers for alleged collaboration with opposing conflict parties such as providing medical care to wounded fighters or failing to disclose their activities in the area. Across the Sahel region, groups like ISSP, ISWAP, and JNIM abducted health workers while in the DRC armed groups like ADF PAREFOL/FI and M23 were involved in such activities. AlShabaab in Somalia and various gangs in Haiti also engaged in the kidnapping of health workers.

To gain more insight into where these incidents occurred you can explore an interactive map provided by the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition. Additionally detailed data on these incidents can be accessed through the HDX platform. If you are interested in accessing curated datasets on this topic please reach out for more information.

Overall it is clear that violence against healthcare workers continues to pose a serious threat to public safety and well-being during conflicts around the world. It is imperative that governments take action to protect healthcare workers and ensure they have access to safe working conditions so they can continue providing vital medical care during times of crisis.