disaster
Somalia: Violence Against Health Care in Conflict 2025 [EN/AR]
By Insecurity Insight at ReliefWeb
· July 16, 2026
· 2 min read
. Using data collected by Insecurity Insight, the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC) identified 18 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health care in Somalia (including Puntland and Somaliland) in 2025, compared to nine in 2024 and 21 in 2023. Among the incidents reported i
Key takeaway Among the incidents reported in 2025, health facilities were attacked on 12 occasions.
Why this matters
The surge in violence against health care in Somalia, with reported incidents doubling in 2025 compared to 2024, has severe implications for the country's already fragile health system. The spread of attacks to ten regions, including increased incidents in Puntland's Bari region, indicates a widening of the conflict and a growing threat to health care access. The destruction of health facilities and ambulances, as well as restrictions on female health workers' movement, exacerbate the existing barriers to essential health care services, including maternal and reproductive health care. The extremely high maternal mortality rates in Somalia are a direct consequence of these challenges, with many births taking place without trained attendants and inadequate antenatal care. As the conflict intensifies, it is crucial to monitor the situation and ensure that humanitarian relief efforts prioritize the protection of health care workers and facilities, as well as the provision of essential services to those in need.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: disaster ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . Using data collected by Insecurity Insight, the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC) identified 18 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health care in Somalia (including Puntland and Somaliland) in 2025, compared to nine in 2024 and 21 in 2023. Among the incidents reported i
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Insecurity Insight at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .