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Armed drone strikes affecting health care occurred in multiple contexts, including direct attacks on hospitals, as part of wider assaults on towns and during multiple strike attacks targeting health workers conducting search and rescue operations. In total, these drone strikes damaged or destroyed health care facilities on 246 occasions and killed 37 health workers while injuring 124 others. The strikes disrupted service delivery through program closures, reduced access and staff shortages, as well as the psychological impact on the health work force.
The use of drone-delivered explosives impacting health care surged by 43% in 2025, with 410 incidents recorded, compared to 286 in 2024. These incidents accounted for 34% of all incidents where explosive weapons affected health care in 2025, up from 16% in 2024. Incidents were reported in 12 countries in 2025 – one more than in 2024 – with new incidents of drone use impacting health care documented in the DRC, Iran, and Yemen.
SHCC Attacks on Health Care
This section aligns with the definition of attacks on health care used by the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC)
AfricaDemocratic Republic of the Congo19 August 2026: In Birambizo locality, Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province, Birambizo General Referral Hospital was looted by unidentified armed perpetrators, who stole medicines, medical equipment and office supplies. The looting occurred on the same day that the hospital resumed activities following nearly four days of suspension, disrupting the provision of healthcare and access to care. Source:All Africa
Publicly reported incidents affecting Ebola response measures in the DRC17 August 2026: In Kandoyi village, Aru territory, Ituri province, Kandoyi Health Centre was vandalised, and health workers were threatened by community members amid tensions related to the Ebola response, forcing almost all patients to leave the facility, including recently operated patients and pregnant women. Only a few health workers returned to provide minimal emergency services, while the medical director returned to the facility on 22 August under protection from the Congolese National Police (PNC). Source:Radio Okapi
18 August 2026: In Malikuti village, Rungu health zone, Haut-Uélé province, two Red Cross volunteers conducting an Ebola burial were attacked and injured by local community members and later were evacuated to Isiro for medical care. of the Red Cross
19 August 2026: In Beni city, North Kivu province, three Red Cross volunteers participating in Ebola response activities were attacked and injured by a group of individuals, disrupting the provision of emergency health and humanitarian services. Equipment used in the intervention was also destroyed. of the Red Cross
19 August 2026: In Kasanga Tuha village, Bunji health zone, North Kivu province, an Ebola safe and dignified burial team was attacked by unidentified perpetrators, killing and injuring an unspecified number of people
19 August 2026: In Mungamba village, Komanda health zone, Irumu territory, Ituri province, a vehicle used by an Ebola safe and dignified burial team was stoned and damaged by unidentified perpetrators while the team was conducting response activities. The team was subsequently escorted by the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC)
27 August 2026: In Vuromo-Kakuva locality, Mukuna area, Katwa Health zone, Beni territory, North Kivu province, Bethesda Dispensary was set on fire by unidentified perpetrators at around 0100hrs amid rumours linked to the Ebola virus disease
Data by Insecurity Insight shows that since the outbreak on 21 May and 31 August 2026,47 attackson Ebola response measures have been reported in the DRC. Ebola treatment centres have been attacked and damaged 14 times, including nine cases of facilities being deliberately set on fire. In addition,16 response workers were injured and seven others kidnapped. Data is collected daily, with continuous backdating as new sources and incidents are identified or additional information becomes available. Therefore, the data may differ from the version retrieved on 04 September following subsequent updates.
Sudan
Incident briefs: 19-31 August;05-18 August; 22 July-04 August; 08-21 July; 24 June-07 July; 10-23 June; 27 May-09 June; 13-26 May; 29 April-12 May; 15-28 April; 01-14 April; 18-31 March; 04-17 March; All
SHCC chapters (EN): 2025; 2024; 2023; 2022; 2021. (AR): 2025; 2024; 2023; 2022; 2021
Myanmar
Incident briefs: 19-31 August: 05-18 August; 22 July-04 August; 08-21 July; 24 June-07 July; 10-23 June; 27 May-09 June; 13-26 May; 29 April-12 May; 15-28 April; 01-14 April; 18-31 March; 04-17 March; All
SHCC chapters: Burmese: 2025; 2024; 2023. English: 2025; 2024; 2023: 2022; 2021
EuropeUkraine19-20 August 2026: In Boryspil city and raion, Kyiv oblast, Red Cross facilities were damaged by a nine-hour overnight Russian attack using dozens of missiles and jet-powered drones
22 August 2026: In Snihurivka city and urban hromada, Bashtanka raion, Mykolaiv oblast, a health facility and a pharmacy were damaged by three Russian drones in the morning
23 August 2026: In Kherson city and oblast, a Ukrainian Red Cross Society warehouse caught fire following a Russian drone attack, damaging and destroying supplies worth more than 620,000 USD. No staff or volunteers were injured
24 August 2026: In Arkhanhelivka village, Izium raion and oblast, a medical facility was damaged by Russian shelling
31 August 2026: In Kherson city, raion and oblast, a health facility was struck by a Russian drone at around 0645hrs, injuring two health workers: 69-year-old woman and a 62-year-old man who suffered concussion, blast injuries and closed head injuries
Insecurity Insight identified over 3,300 attacks on Ukraine’s health facilities, health workers and infrastructure since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022 to 31 July. Hospitals and clinics were damaged or destroyed 1750 times and 489 health workers killed. 115 attacks impacted services provided for women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. A further 143 attacks impacted services that provide health care to children.
SHCC Chapters: EN: 2025; 2024; 2023; 2022. UK: 2025; 2024; 2023
Middle East and North AfricaLebanon24 August 2026: In Doha–Kafr Mann area, Nabatieh district and governorate, an Al-Risala Health Association ambulance was struck by a stun grenade launched by an Israeli drone while its medics were conducting a survey of the area, in an attempt to force them to leave the scene following a previous Israeli strike
Occupied Palestinian territory
Incident briefs: 19-31 August;05-18 August; 22 July-04 August; 08-21 July; 24 June-07 July; 10-23 June; 27 May-09 June; 13-26 May; 29 April-12 May; 15-28 April; 01-14 April; 18-31 March; 04-17 March; 18 February-03 March; 04-17 February; All
SHCC Chapters (EN): 2025;2024;2023; 2022; 2021. (AR): 2025;2024; 2023; 2022; 2021
Yemen25 August 2026: In Sana’a city, Amanat Al-Asimah governorate, Al-Ahli Modern Hospital was surrounded and stormed by Houthi forces and established an armed camp near its entrance. A doctor was assaulted
29 August 2026: In Houthi-controlled areas, Houthi forces refused to allow the entry of a shipment of children’s vaccines unless the UN reopened offices and resumed activities in areas under their control. The shipment was intended to be distributed free of charge to children amid shortages of vaccines and increased risks of diseases including measles and polio. The UN has demanded the release of detained staff, the return of seized assets and the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian organisations’ activities. Source:Al MontasafandNews Yemen
The AmericasMexico21 August 2026: In Atlitenco de Altamira neighbourhood, Chilpancingo city, Guerrero state, a doctor was shot and killed in her home by armed men who opened fire at her
25 August 2026: In Arenillas city, Chihuahua state, a man purchasing medication at the pharmacy of Arenillas Basic Hospital was killed by an unidentified armed perpetrator in front of the facility. National Police officers consequently cordoned off the area
As reported on 27 August 2026: In Tijuana city, Baja California state, a patient who was being treated for an earlier gunshot wound was killed in the emergency room of Tijuana General Hospital by a man disguised as a health worker in the daytime
