The surgical team of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has supported the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri in performing lifesaving surgeries on 41 victims of the recent suicide bomb attacks in the Gwoza local government area of Borno State.

A statement issued to Journalists in Maiduguri by the Deputy Head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Maiduguri, Ms Diana Japaridze, said the Committee is providing emergency treatment for people who were critically injured during the blasts, including children and women.

According to the statement, ICRC has also provided medical drugs and consumables to support the hospital’s emergency response.

The statement reads, “It is heart-wrenching to see civilians killed and wounded, we strongly remind all those involved in the fighting that civilians, especially children and women must be spared, and that hospitals must be sanctuaries of life, not scenes of deadly violence.”

It added that indiscriminate attacks and attacks targeting civilians are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law.

“Healthcare facilities and personnel are also protected and must not be attacked. Attacks against hospitals have devastating humanitarian consequences, as these facilities are the only lifeline for sick and wounded”, she said.

Japaridze promised to continue to support civilians who are bearing the brunt of more than a decade of armed conflict, including those displaced and injured.

Tags: ICRC