ReliefWeb

This briefing is published jointly by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), ahead of the United Nations Security Council’s debate on protection of civilians in armed conflict scheduled for 22 May 2018. The briefing covers the period from 1 May 2017 to 1 May 2018 and highlights the vulnerability of health services and facilities in Libya to attacks, interference and disruption by armed groups.

Only 11 ambulances for 250 thousand people remain in besieged eastern Aleppo and at least five have been hit by bombs in the past month, wounding drivers and first aid providers.

Ahead of World Humanitarian Day, WHO is drawing attention to continued attacks on health staff and health facilities. In 2014 alone, WHO received reports of 372 attacks in 32 countries on health workers, resulting in 603 deaths and 958 injuries, while similar incidents have been recorded this year.

Report from the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR): In the preparation for the upcoming elections of the spring 2014, the government of Afghanistan announced that some health facilities and schools had been designated as registration centers for the population and as polling stations. First and foremost ACBAR members acknowledge that the upcoming election process is a civilian political process, thus non-military, and therefore shouldn’t be targeted under International Humanitarian Law.

Lack of access to health care facilities, for both patients and health care providers, is one of the main obstacles to the provision of health care. There are severe staffing shortages in hospitals and other health facilities, especially in areas experiencing high levels of violence.