Afghanistan: MSF announces withdrawal of staff from Kabul maternity hospital on June 15

Event

On Monday, June 15, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced that they will be ceasing operations and withdrawing staff from the Dasht-e-Barchi State Hospital in Kabul following an armed attack at a maternity ward on May 12 that killed at least 24 people. The decision was made as the MSF states that the security situation continues to deteriorate in the city. According to MSF, the closure is expected to affect more than a million people. The facility is one of the organization's largest worldwide projects where almost 16,000 deliveries were reported in 2019.

Context

On May 12, IS claimed responsibility for the attack against the Dasht-e-Barchi State Hospital that was carried out by at least seven heavily armed assailants reportedly wearing police uniforms. In response, security forces stormed the hospital, killing at least three of the attackers. The Public Health Ministry announced that 24 people were killed and 16 others were wounded in the incident, including many female patients and several newborn babies.

Advice

Individuals in Kabul are advised to remain vigilant for militant activity and obey all instructions issued by local authorities or their home governments.

The security environment in Afghanistan remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.