As Médecins Sans Frontières continues life saving activities in Somalia, Belet Weyne hospital hit by a mortar

Nairobi, 14 January 2010. As ongoing fighting in Hiraan and Galgadud regions continues to take its toll on the civilian population, Médecins Sans Frontières continues to support two hospitals in Guri El and Belet Weyne where 111 wounded people were admitted between 10th and 12th January. The majority of them were suffering from multiple fractures, abdominal and chest injuries.

When the hospital of Belet Weyne was hit by a mortar on 12th January 2010, two employees from the medical aid organisation Médecins Sans Frontières were injured.

“More than 200 Médecins Sans Frontières staff are working around the clock in Guri El and Belet Weyne hospitals to provide medical care despite the danger,” says Head of Mission Andreas Papp. “On 12th January two of our colleagues were injured when a mortar exploded in the hospital compound in Belet Weyne. Fortunately they were not seriously hurt, but we once again want to remind the combatants in Somalia to respect health structures, patients and medical staff and ask them to allow Médecins Sans Frontières to bring in more desperately needed medical supplies by air and road.”

Médecins Sans Frontières is one of the only organisations providing free surgery and emergency medical care in Somalia. Médecins Sans Frontières staff will treat anyone, no matter their clan, political, military or religious allegiances, but cannot risk their own lives to do so.

In addition the recent clashes have caused the displacement of thousands from Belet Weyne town alone.

For more information, please contact Sally McMillan +61 447 482 379.

Médecins Sans Frontières has worked in Somalia since 1991. In Hiraan region, Médecins Sans Frontières runs a 120 bed hospital in Belet Weyne offering free, secondary level health care to the 280,000 inhabitants of the region. In Galgadud our teams run the 80 bed Istarlin hospital, as well as an outpatient department in Dhusa Mareb and health post in Hinder.

Médecins Sans Frontières also provides free medical care in Banadir, Bay, Lower Juba, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle and Mudug Regions. Over 1,500 Somali staff, supported by approximately 90 staff in Nairobi provide primary health care, malnutrition treatment, health care and support to displaced people, surgery, water and relief supply distributions.