SUDAN: Catholic Church Hospital bombed in Nuba Mountains
Bishop
Emeritus of the Diocese of EI Obeid Macram Max Gassis has strongly condemned
the deliberate targeting and bombing of the Mother of Mercy Catholic Hospital
in the Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan, Sudan, on 1st and 2nd
May 2014.
The hospital
is supported by Caritas Internationalis and in particular Caritas members
Trocaire and Secours Catholique.
is supported by Caritas Internationalis and in particular Caritas members
Trocaire and Secours Catholique.
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| Emeritus Bishop of El Obeid Rt. Rev. Macram Max Gassis |
Bishop
Gassis said, “The bombing is an outrage against innocent civilians who are
seeking medical assistance from our hospital. The sick have nothing to do with
the conflict that has devastated the Nuba Mountains since June 2011. They are
innocent civilians protected by international law from direct targeting by
military forces.
Gassis said, “The bombing is an outrage against innocent civilians who are
seeking medical assistance from our hospital. The sick have nothing to do with
the conflict that has devastated the Nuba Mountains since June 2011. They are
innocent civilians protected by international law from direct targeting by
military forces.
“International
law demands that civilians are protected during conflict, but the attack today
is a direct violation of this fundamental humanitarian principle. It is a
violation of the sacredness of all human life, which we must protect at all
costs.”
law demands that civilians are protected during conflict, but the attack today
is a direct violation of this fundamental humanitarian principle. It is a
violation of the sacredness of all human life, which we must protect at all
costs.”
The hospital
is the only functioning hospital in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan State,
which provides essential care and a variety of support services to over 150,000
people annually. The bishop fears for the safety and well-being of hospital
staff and patients, and communities living in fear of this very real threat of
indiscriminate aerial bombardment.
is the only functioning hospital in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan State,
which provides essential care and a variety of support services to over 150,000
people annually. The bishop fears for the safety and well-being of hospital
staff and patients, and communities living in fear of this very real threat of
indiscriminate aerial bombardment.
Staff
Account of what happened
Account of what happened
I was in the
office with Sister when the plane came. There was about a 2 second warning
between hearing the plane and the bomb falling – only just enough time to get
down on the floor. The office shook with the impact and our vision became
blurry with the dust and bits of cement flying in the air. The bomb had hit
about 50m outside TB/Leprosy village.
office with Sister when the plane came. There was about a 2 second warning
between hearing the plane and the bomb falling – only just enough time to get
down on the floor. The office shook with the impact and our vision became
blurry with the dust and bits of cement flying in the air. The bomb had hit
about 50m outside TB/Leprosy village.
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| This lady was previously admitted in the hospital with a malnourished child gave birth to a healthy child at the same hospital |
As soon as
the blast was over Sister and I ran out. I headed straight for a fox hole as
did the rest of the hospital population – those that could move. Sister acted
less selflessly and started directing people in the right direction, calming
mothers who could not find their children, and also opening the back gate so
that people could get out and away from the hospital.
the blast was over Sister and I ran out. I headed straight for a fox hole as
did the rest of the hospital population – those that could move. Sister acted
less selflessly and started directing people in the right direction, calming
mothers who could not find their children, and also opening the back gate so
that people could get out and away from the hospital.
Then the
plane came again, and it was so low – we could see into its underbelly. A bomb
hit 30m from the doctor’s House.
plane came again, and it was so low – we could see into its underbelly. A bomb
hit 30m from the doctor’s House.
Once the
plane was gone, we shook the dust of and started moving around. Patients were
fleeing the hospital in droves, some still attached to their IV fluid bags. We
started walking around to see who was left.
plane was gone, we shook the dust of and started moving around. Patients were
fleeing the hospital in droves, some still attached to their IV fluid bags. We
started walking around to see who was left.
And that was
a sad sight; those that are too sick or too weak to move, those that live to
far away and hence have nowhere to go.
a sad sight; those that are too sick or too weak to move, those that live to
far away and hence have nowhere to go.
Thankfully
there was only two minor shrapnel an injury from today’s bombing. There is no
significant structural damage to property – but many repairs will be required
in one way or another; for example many of the doors and windows of the male
nurse quarters are blown out, all doors of the doctor buildings are ruined and
the roof is in bad shape, plus of course the section of our fence.
there was only two minor shrapnel an injury from today’s bombing. There is no
significant structural damage to property – but many repairs will be required
in one way or another; for example many of the doors and windows of the male
nurse quarters are blown out, all doors of the doctor buildings are ruined and
the roof is in bad shape, plus of course the section of our fence.
As of
writing the patients of the male ward have started to trickle back, but the
female and children’s ward are still nearly empty. Everything is eerily quiet
and covered in a fine layer of dust.
writing the patients of the male ward have started to trickle back, but the
female and children’s ward are still nearly empty. Everything is eerily quiet
and covered in a fine layer of dust.
Bishop
Gassis appeal
Gassis appeal
“I wish to
appeal to President Omar EI Bashir, whose air force carried out this bombing,
to ensure that our hospital is protected from further bombing. The Mother of
Mercy hospital is a Catholic Church health institution which offers life-saving
services without distinction based on religion, tribe, or political
affiliation,” said Bishop Emeritus Macram Max Gassis.
appeal to President Omar EI Bashir, whose air force carried out this bombing,
to ensure that our hospital is protected from further bombing. The Mother of
Mercy hospital is a Catholic Church health institution which offers life-saving
services without distinction based on religion, tribe, or political
affiliation,” said Bishop Emeritus Macram Max Gassis.
Bishop
Gassis said that the Diocese of EI Obeid is committed to peace in South
Kordofan. He appealed against the continued use of indiscriminate aerial
assault. The bishop said all parties in the conflict needed to commit to
peaceful dialogue so that a just and peaceful solution could be found.
Gassis said that the Diocese of EI Obeid is committed to peace in South
Kordofan. He appealed against the continued use of indiscriminate aerial
assault. The bishop said all parties in the conflict needed to commit to
peaceful dialogue so that a just and peaceful solution could be found.
Source: Caritas
