The World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday that more than 1,000 attacks targeted health facilities and ambulances, as well as other facilities which provide health care and services for the population in 20 conflict-hit countries.

WHO issued these statistics on the occasion of the World Humanitarian Day to be celebrated on Saturday.

More than 1,400 people were killed and about 2,200 others were wounded since 2014 to March 2017, WHO said.

Between 2014 and 2015, 594 attacks targeted health care facilities, killing 959 people and injuring 1,561 others in 19 conflict-hit countries.

WHO pointed out that the attacks on health facilities has had a devastating impact on local communities, families and the entire health systems.

The organization explained that every hospital which was destroyed and each health worker killed or injured means years of deprivation from much-needed health services for the population.

In addition, the organization explained that the number of attacks on health facilities amounted to 88 attacks, killing 80 people and injuring 81 others during the period from January to March 2017.

WHO's 2016 data indicated that the attacks on health facilities, health workers and ambulances continued at an alarming rates, noting that 302 of such attacks occurred in 20 countries, leaving 418 casualties and 537 others wounded during 2016.

In 2015 the number of attacks reached 256 attack, leaving 434 dead and 537 wounded, while in 2014 the number of attacks amounted to 338 attacks, killing 525 people and injuring 1,024 others.

Source : Mena