The International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Health Organization and Doctors Without Borders warned on 4 May 2026 that attacks on health care in conflict zones have worsened over the past decade. [1]
The joint statement came 10 years after the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2286 to protect medical services in war zones. [1]
The organizations said violence targeting hospitals, medical staff and patients has not diminished and has intensified in many cases. They cited the destruction of hospitals, obstruction of ambulances and the killing or injuring of health workers and patients. [1]
"Today, we mark not an achievement – we mark a failure," the groups said in the statement. They added: "That is not a failure of the law. It is a failure of political will." [1]
The organizations called on governments and parties to conflicts to comply with international humanitarian law, investigate attacks, strengthen domestic laws, allocate resources and ensure accountability for protecting health care services. They said, "Health care must never be a casualty of war." [1]
The groups said the failure to protect health care is a failure of political will rather than a failure of the law. [1]
The warning marked the 10th anniversary of Resolution 2286, adopted in 2016, and the organizations pressed governments and warring parties to act on their legal duties. [1]
