COVID-19 has overwhelmed advanced health care systems all over the world.

The health systems where we work have already been ravaged by war.

Conflict severely compromises the health infrastructure, and in some places has completely devastated it.

For people in conflict zones access to life-saving and basic health care is often not available, and doctors and nurses are scarce.

syria-flag
Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, violence has escalated in 2019.

Some 109 health centers were closed and 140 were operating at minimum capacity in early 2020.

There is only 1 doctor per 16,666 people

Each white dot represents 10 people

Each red dot represents 1 doctor

syria-flag
Afghanistan

The endless armed conflict in Afghanistan has resulted in attacks on health facilities and medical workers.

This has led to a rise in diseases such as polio, measles and other preventable ailments.

There is only 1 doctor per 3,520 people

Each white dot represents 10 people

Each red dot represents 1 doctor

syria-flag
Mali

In Mali, nearly 20% of health care facilities across the country have been partially damaged or completely destroyed.

93% of facilities in the north have been completely destroyed.

There is only 1 doctor per 7,190 people

Each white dot represents 10 people

Each red dot represents 1 doctor

In Spain for example, which has been hit extremely hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is 1 doctor for ever 250 people.

Each white dot represents 10 people

Each red dot represents 1 doctor

Imagine now how challenging the medical response could be in countries like Mali, Afghanistan, and Burkina Faso.

We need to ensure that health care workers and health care facilities are equipped and prepared to counter COVID-19 in the most vulnerable communities.

In many of the places we work, doctors, nurses and basic healthcare are a luxury.

We need to support them to be able to face yet another threat to lives in war-torn countries.

Donate