More can and must be done to protect hospitals and clinics in conflict-ridden countries, such as Syria, Somalia and the Central African Republic, where fighting has wreaked havoc on health facilities, putting countless lives in danger.

People in and around Bossangoa and Bouca, in Ouham prefecture north-west of the capital Bangui, have been hard hit by continuing armed clashes. The Central African Red Cross Society and the ICRC are working together to bring them aid.

Some of ICRC's operations in protracted conflicts are currently underfunded. The ICRC's director of operations explained why this may be and outlined the funding the ICRC is seeking from its donors to fill the gap. He also highlighted that the number of deliberate attacks against health-care workers has continued to increase in 2013.

On the occasion of World Humanitarian Day (19 August), this joint Op-Ed from ICRC and ECHO looks at the drastic and long-term effects that attacks on health-care staff and facilities have on the untold numbers that are deprived of the care they need.

Since early July, intensified intercommunal violence in South Sudan in the state of Jonglei has resulted in hundreds of people being wounded or killed. South Sudan Red Cross volunteers provide life-saving first aid to people in need in areas where health care is not easily accessible.