# Global violence against healthcare workers and facilities > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-violence-against-healthcare-workers-and-facilities > Updated: 2026-08-18T03:14:20.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted a global crisis regarding the safety of medical personnel and facilities. Initial reports indicate that approximately 40% of healthcare workers face physical assault during their careers, while over 60% experience verbal abuse, threats, or harassment. This violence, which disproportionately affects nurses, paramedics, and emergency-room staff, contributes to staff shortages and burnout. In response to such vulnerabilities, some nations, such as Canada, have implemented legal measures like Bill C-3 to treat offenses against healthcare professionals as aggravating factors in sentencing. More recent data shows a significant escalation of violence specifically within conflict zones. Between January and August 2026, the WHO recorded over 900 attacks on healthcare facilities, workers, and patients, averaging more than four incidents per day. These attacks have resulted in at least 911 deaths and 1,486 injuries. The highest concentration of incidents is reported in Ukraine, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian territory, with additional violence noted in Sudan, Myanmar, Syria, Iran, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Russia. In Gaza, all 36 hospitals have sustained damage, leaving roughly half partially functional, while 37% of health facilities in Sudan are reported as non-functional. The WHO noted that 685 of the recorded attacks involved heavy weaponry, alongside the obstruction of medical care, psychological violence, and the kidnapping or detention of healthcare workers and patients. In Syria, medical consultations dropped by half following attacks on the health network. Despite the WHO verifying more than 10,000 attacks across 29 territories since 2018, the agency noted that no legal accountability has been established for these incidents. ## Claims - Attacks on healthcare in conflict zones averaged more than four per day in 2026. (corroborated by 5 sources) - There were more than 900 attacks between January and August 2026. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The attacks resulted in at least 900 deaths and more than 1,400 injuries during the reported period. (corroborated by 4 sources) - In Gaza, all 36 hospitals have been damaged and only about half remain partially functional. (corroborated by 4 sources) - In Sudan, 37% of health facilities are reported as non-functional this year. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the WHO has verified more than 3,100 attacks in Ukraine. (corroborated by 4 sources) - 94 healthcare workers have been detained during the current period. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Since 2018, more than 10,000 attacks on healthcare facilities have been recorded in 29 countries and territories. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: WHO reports over 900 deaths from attacks on global healthcare networks The WHO reports over 900 deaths and 1,400 injuries from 914 attacks on global healthcare networks this year, with most incidents concentrated in Ukraine, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Territories. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/who-reports-over-900-deaths-from-attacks-on-global-healthcare-networks ### 2026-08-14: World Health Organization reports rising attacks on healthcare in conflict zones The WHO reports that attacks on healthcare in conflict zones averaged over four per day in 2026, causing at least 900 deaths and 1,400 injuries between January and August. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/world-health-organization-reports-rising-attacks-on-healthcare-in-conflict-zones ### 2026-07-21: World Health Organization reports 40% of healthcare workers face physical assault WHO says 40% of health‑care workers face physical assault; Canada’s Bill C‑3 now treats attacks on them as sentencing aggravating factors. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/world-health-organization-reports-40-of-healthcare-workers-face-physical-assault --- Cite as: Global violence against healthcare workers and facilities. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-violence-against-healthcare-workers-and-facilities