5 Ways To Protect Yourself From Targeted Hospital Attacks in Conflict Zones
A practical guide for medical staff, NGOs, and travelers to stay safe when hospitals become targets
When hospitals are deliberately targeted, every patient and worker faces a life‑threatening risk. This guide shows you how to stay ahead of attacks in real‑time, ensuring you and your team can act quickly. You’ll learn five concrete steps you can implement today to safeguard your life and the lives of those around you.
Step 1: Identify Safe Zones
Start by mapping out hospitals and known conflict hotspots using the Safe Zones feature on the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) and satellite imagery from Sentinel‑2. Overlay these data on Google Maps to see which facilities lie within 5 km of active fire reports from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). Cross‑check with local NGO updates on their WhatsApp groups to confirm recent movements. Finally, bookmark the safest hospitals on your phone for quick reference.
Step 2: Use Real-Time Conflict Alerts
Subscribe to the UN Human Rights Office’s daily RSS feed and enable push notifications on the “Conflict Alerts” app. Pair this with the Real‑Time Alerts from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Set up a Telegram channel that aggregates ACLED data and local NGO bulletins, filtering for keywords like "hospital" or "medical facility". Keep your phone’s battery topped up and have a portable charger ready.
Step 3: Plan Evacuation Routes
Using the Safe Paths feature on the Humanitarian Data Exchange, plot at least two alternate evacuation routes from each hospital to the nearest safe zone. Mark the routes on a paper map and in a GPS app such as OsmAnd, setting waypoints for checkpoints. Test each route if possible, noting traffic patterns and potential checkpoints. Store the route details in a secure cloud folder with offline access via Google Drive.
Step 4: Join Local Safety Networks
Register with the local Red Crescent or equivalent humanitarian network and request access to their secure messaging platform, such as the Safety Networks feature on the MedCERT platform. Attend briefings or virtual town halls to learn about new threats and community mitigation plans. Share your own observations in real time to help refine collective risk assessments. Maintain an updated contact list of key local contacts in case of emergency.
Step 5: Report and Document Incidents
Immediately capture photos, videos, and GPS coordinates of any attack using the secure, encrypted app Signal. File a report with the UN Human Rights Office through their online portal, including the Document you just captured. Share a concise, anonymous summary with your organization’s legal team to trigger a response. Keep a log of all incidents in a password‑protected spreadsheet for future advocacy.
Many teams overlook the power of encrypted voice calls; using Signal or WhatsApp with end‑to‑end encryption ensures your coordination stays confidential even if local networks are compromised.
By following these five steps, you’ll have a robust, real‑time defense against targeted hospital attacks. You’ll know where to go, how to stay informed, and how to report incidents quickly. Start implementing these measures today to protect yourself and those you care for.
