2021 Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC) Factsheet
The Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC) identified 169 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health care in the oPt in 2021, which was a marked increase from 2020, when 61 incidents were documented. In these 169 incidents 61 health workers were injured, 30 health facilities were damaged or destroyed, and patients’ access to health care was obstructed at least 32 times.
Violence affecting health care was most intense during the 11-day conflict in Gaza in May, when 53 incidents of explosive weapons use impacting Palestinian health facilities and workers were reported. Across the oPt 61 Palestinian health workers were injured in 2021, mostly in the context of protests against the construction of settlements in the West Bank. Health workers were often blocked from reaching the injured and had stones thrown at them by Israeli settlers while providing emergency care to injured Palestinians. Obstructions at checkpoints and routine delays and denials of permits to allow patients to leave Gaza or the West Bank to receive medical care elsewhere were reported throughout the year. Download data
Our Global Interactive Map on Threats and Violence against Health Care provides access to continuously updated information on violence against health care in conflict and related to COVID-19.