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Mitigating Damage to Health Facilities in Myanmar: Protecting Health Facilities from Airstrikes and Shelling
Health facilities across Kayin State have been repeatedly damaged by airstrikes, artillery fire, and direct clashes since the February 2021 military coup. These attacks undermine care, displace communities, and threaten staff safety.
What We Know
- Health facilities have been damaged or destroyed by the Myanmar Armed Forces, Arakan Army and the PDF using plane and drone delivered explosive weapons.
- Some health facilities were also damaged in arson attacks.
- Health workers, including doctors, nurses, and ambulance drivers, are at risk of harm, either from direct attacks on health infrastructure or from being caught in the crossfire.
Risks Identified
- High in conflict zones or contested areas
- Public and charity-run facilities are often affected
- Leads to loss of care, displaced staff, and destroyed supplies
Practical Tips
- Relocate vital supplies and equipment to safer areas when conflict escalates
- Reinforce facilities structurally and create underground or secure storage for medicine
- Establish early warning and evacuation plans
- Prepare mobile units or alternative service sites to maintain care continuity
- Comprehensive guidance on how to protect health care from drone attacks is available in English and Burmese.
Action to Take
- Use this guidance to train health staff, inform coordination calls, and display posters in clinics and field offices.
- Adapt protocols to fit your specific operating environment.
These are just a few steps to help protect Mandalay’s health workers and sustain health services amid worsening insecurity. Explore complementary strategies from Mandalay, Rakhine, Sagaing and Shan in their respective reports to strengthen coordinated action. For broader insights, consult the Security Risk Management for Health Care Services (SR4H) Handbook
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Past incident briefs: 14-27 June; 30 April-13 May; 16-29 April; 02-15 April; 19 March-01 April; 05-18 March; 19 February-04 March; 05-18 February; 22 January-04 February; 08-21 January; 25 December-07 January; All
SHCC Factsheets: Burmese: 2024; 2023. English: 2024; 2023: 2022; 2021; 2020
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Documented incidents
29 May 2025: In Hpakant town and township, Mohnyin district, Kachin state, a charity hospital, high school, an administrative office building, a Chinese monastery, and other public places were occupied by the Myanmar military in their preparation for battles in the area. Source: People’s Spring
31 May 2025: In Kan Pauk station town, Yebyu township, Dawei district, Tanintharyi region, three health workers and a civilian were arrested from their home by the Myanmar navy at around 11 pm. The victims were detained in the navy command centre for interrogation. Sources: Ayeyarwaddy Times, Burma Human Rights Network and Dawei Watch
As reported on 01 June 2025: In Muse town, township and district, Shan state (North), health workers of private hospitals were living in fear following news of plans to kidnap health workers by an armed group and junta-backed militia. The threats have been heard since the last week in May 2025, stating that the armed groups deemed the hospitals were not paying adequate taxes. Source: Shwe Phee Myay News Agency
03 June 2025: In Ma Taunt Ta village and village tract, Salingyi township, Yinmabin district, Sagaing region, a station hospital was damaged by bombs dropped by the Myanmar military paramotor at around 6 pm. Source: Democratic Voice of Burma
08 June 2025: At the military base camp near Kyondoe town and township, Kawkareik district, Kayin state, a military doctor was reportedly killed by handmade electroshock rocket attacks by the Karen National Liberation Army and PDF. Source: Karen Information Centre
09 June 2025: In Kyi Tauk Pauk village, Shauk Pin Yoe village tract, Singu township, Pyin Oo Lwin district, Mandalay region, a building of a station hospital was destroyed by bombs dropped by the Myanmar military fighter jet at around 5 am. Two civilians were killed and two injured at the stalls near the hospital. Sources: Khit Thit Media, Mandalay Free Press and Myaelatt Athan
Insecurity Insight. 2025. 28 May-10 June 2025, Attacks on Health Care in Myanmar. Switzerland: Insecurity Insight. https://bit.ly/28May-10Jun2025MMRHealth