MSF partially suspends operations in Zamfara over armed clashes

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has evacuated some of its staff in Zurmi, Zamfara state.

In a statement on Friday, MSF said the evacuation was on the heels of the renewed armed clashes in the town which is “dangerously close” to a hospital that it is supporting. 

The international humanitarian organisation said it has also suspended the provision of healthcare services to communities outside the town.

The MSF said violent clashes took place a few meters from the hospital compound on Monday, adding that it can no longer guarantee the safety of patients or staff.

“Continuous heavy fighting has been taking place in Zurmi town since 10 December, with some of the confrontations occurring dangerously close to a hospital supported by Médecins sans Frontières (MSF),” the statement reads. 

“These armed clashes have provoked the displacement of thousands of people in need of security, shelter and access to basic services. Humanitarian support is needed to help those in dire need of assistance.

“Faced with important security risks, MSF medical teams on the ground had to evacuate part of its staff and are unable to function optimally, having to suspend the provision of healthcare to communities outside of the town.”

Adjide Hermann, MSF deputy field coordinator in Zurmi, said the remaining staff on the ground are “afraid of what is going to happen next”.

“Our team had to seek shelter in the hospital for a long time,” Hermann said. 

“Only two days later, a second attack obliged the team to sleep in the security room inside the hospital. 

Simba Tirima, the MSF country representative, appealed to the parties involved in the clashes to cease hostilities.

The country representative said the MSF will try its best to “maintain the operations, but we wish to see improvements in the security situation to be able to provide the appropriate medical care”.