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Curfews and other restrictions on civilian movement imposed by the Government of Turkey have blocked ambulance transport and prevented wounded and sick civilians from obtaining emergency health and rescue services. As a result, people in need of urgent medical attention have sometimes been trapped in buildings, and many have died.

On November 2, 2015, the American Public Health Association will hold a session on the challenges of practicing health care in volatile environments, especially during armed conflict and political violence.

World Humanitarian Day is a time to honor those who face danger in order to help others. Heath workers, of course, are humanitarians. They not only risk contracting infectious disease and illness when providing care but they continue to be threatened and harmed just for doing their jobs. The coalition urges the global community not to overlook the need to protect health workers on this World Humanitarian Day or during the upcoming World Humanitarian Summit.

Yesterday, during the World Health Organization’s 68th World Health Assembly, the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, along with United Nations agencies and nine member states, held a well-attended side event on health and well-being in emergencies.

Attacks on medical facilities, health workers, and patients have occurred in at least 17 countries undergoing conflict and civil unrest since January 2014, Human Rights Watch and the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition said in a joint report issued today. The report was released at the annual meeting of health ministers from around the world in Geneva from May 18-26, 2015. The 22-page report, “Attacks on Health: Global Report,” highlights recent attacks in countries around the world.