MSF vehicle was fired at in Sudan, staff escapes injury

October 6, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – A clearly marked vehicle of the medical humanitarian group Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was shot at by gunfire between SAF and RSF checkpoints on Thursday, October 5.

The vehicle was on a routine trip between Wad Madani and Khartoum, where MSF works. The staff on board were lucky to escape injury, the organization said in a statement released on Friday.

MSF strongly condemned the attack, pointing out that international humanitarian law must be respected and called on all parties in the conflict to respect the medical and humanitarian mission.

MSF has been providing medical and humanitarian assistance to people affected by the conflict in Sudan for over 30 years. The organization has over 1,000 staff working in Sudan, providing a range of services, including healthcare, nutrition, and water and sanitation.

Since the outbreak of the ongoing crisis in Sudan, MSF has been engaged in active operations across ten states, including Khartoum, Al-Jazeera, West Darfur, North Darfur, Central Darfur, South Darfur,  El-Gedaref, Blue Nile, River Nile, and White Nile States.

The paramilitary RSF spokesman accused the Sudanese army of attacking the humanitarian vehicle, but the army has not issued a statement on the incident.

In recent months, there have been a number of attacks on humanitarian facilities and staff in Sudan. UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Clementine Nkweta-Salami told reporters on Thursday that 19 aid workers have been killed and 29 injured. These attacks have made it increasingly difficult for aid groups to deliver essential aid to people in need.

“MSF calls again on all parties in the conflict to respect the medical and humanitarian mission and refrain from violence against its clearly identified staff,” the medical organization said.

(ST)