WHO Warns Of Increased Attacks On Syrian Medical Facilities; U.N., Partners Reach Eastern Ghouta To Deliver Remaining Aid

Agence France-Presse: WHO reports surge in attacks on Syrian medical targets
“The frequency of attacks on medical facilities in Syria spiked through the first two months of the year, far outpacing last year’s rate, the World Health Organization said Friday…” (3/9).

CNN: Attacks on Syrian medical facilities on the rise, WHO says
“…The organization has counted 67 attacks on medical units so far in 2018 — roughly half as many as all of last year, according to WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier. In 2017, WHO counted 112 attacks on Syrian health care facilities and medical workers…” (Qiblawi, 3/9).

VOA News: WHO: Alarming Spike in Attacks Against Health Workers, Facilities in Syria
“…Lindmeier said the attacks have had devastating consequences for the civilian population in these combat zones. In the month of February alone, he says violent incidents disrupted 15,000 medical consultations and nearly 1,500 surgeries, many life-saving…” (Schlein, 3/11).

Xinhua News: WHO says 67 attacks on health care in Syria till end of February is “marked increase”
“…[Lindmeier] said WHO calls on all parties in Syria to immediately halt attacks on medical and humanitarian personnel, their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities. … ‘Health workers and health facilities are not a target. It has to stop,’ he said, noting that medical facilities and medical personnel have special protection under international humanitarian law…” (3/9).

U.N. News: Syria: U.N. aid convoy returns to Eastern Ghouta
“The United Nations and partners on Friday reached the Syrian city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta to complete distribution of food aid after intense shelling cut short deliveries to the war-torn enclave earlier this week…” (3/9).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400
Washington Offices and Barbara Jordan Conference Center: 1330 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 | Phone 202-347-5270

www.kff.org | Email Alerts: kff.org/email | facebook.com/KFF | twitter.com/kff

The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, KFF is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.