UN condemns airstrike on Myanmar hospital, warns of 'soaring' humanitarian needs

HAMILTON, Canada

The UN on Thursday condemned a recent airstrike on a hospital in Myanmar's Rakhine State, which reportedly killed more than 30 civilians and injured over 70, including patients, caregivers and medical staff.

"The UN is deeply alarmed by reports of airstrikes in Rakhine State yesterday," said UN spokesperson Farhan Haq during a news conference, noting that "the World Health Organization says that this is the 67th attack on health in Myanmar that the agency has verified this year."

Haq stressed: "Medical facilities and civilians, including medical personnel, must be respected and protected."

"The United Nations condemns this attack, which is part of a broader pattern of strikes causing harm to civilians and civilian objects that continue to devastate communities across the country," he added, calling on all parties to "observe their obligations under international humanitarian and international human rights law."

Emphasizing the "soaring" humanitarian needs in Myanmar, Haq said: "The 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, released yesterday, calls for $890 million, warning that 16.2 million people, including 5 million children, will require assistance and protection next year."

"Conflict and disasters have already displaced an estimated 3.6 million people, with many forced to flee repeatedly," he said.

At least 33 people were killed and 76 injured when Myanmar forces struck the hospital in Mrauk-U, a town near the border with Bangladesh. Military authorities have not acknowledged carrying out any operation in the area.

Myanmar’s military seized power on Feb. 1, 2021, after alleging fraud in the 2020 elections, detaining civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and senior officials. The coup triggered mass protests that were violently suppressed and later evolved into armed resistance.

More than 6,000 people have since been killed and nearly 3 million displaced due to fighting between the junta and opposition groups, according to rights monitors.