Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned of continued attacks on healthcare facilities and medical personnel, despite the passage of 10 years since the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2286, which mandates the protection of medical personnel and infrastructure in conflict zones.
The organization issued its warning on Sunday, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the resolution’s adoption on May 3, 2016, which has been endorsed by more than 80 countries, amid renewed calls to translate these commitments into concrete action.
In a statement titled “Ten Years Without Protection: Medical Teams Deserve Action, Not Empty Words,” MSF International President Javed Abdul-Moneim said that what was once considered an exception in targeting medical personnel has now become “commonplace,” pointing to a “blatant disregard” for their protection in conflict zones.
Abdul-Moneim added that countries that pledged to protect healthcare “must stop hiding behind excuses and exchanging accusations, and start taking real action,” emphasizing the need to implement international humanitarian law “in deeds, not just words.” The organization explained that the past decade has witnessed a surge in attacks on hospitals, ambulances, and healthcare workers, with no accountability. Accused states often respond by either denying the attacks, claiming “mistakes,” or questioning the protected status of those targeted.
It further stated that the impact of these attacks extends beyond the dead and wounded, depriving communities of life-saving healthcare due to the destruction of infrastructure or the suspension of humanitarian operations because of security risks.
