For the fourth time in three weeks, fighting between government forces and militias has resulted in a direct hit on one of Somalia’s main referral hospitals in Las Anod, Somaliland, run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Las Anod, the region’s administrative capital of the Sool, has been left reeling from the destruction.
Djoen Besselink, MSF’s country representative for Somaliland and Somalia, reported that the hospital was attacked during “indiscriminate fighting” and infrastructure was destroyed, resulting in the partial destruction of the paediatric ward and blood bank.
This has created a great danger to infants and toddlers’ health needs, as well as a shortage of blood in the emergency room, the only part of the hospital that remains fully operational. Furthermore, due to the security situation in the region, hospital staff fear for their lives and have nowhere to hide.
Besselink stated: “We are providing medical support on both sides of the conflict and engaging with all actors to ensure that we reach everyone affected by this violence and that they receive the medical assistance they need.”
Last month, clash broke out in Las Anood, a town in the Sool region of Somaliland. The conflict was sparked by a dispute over the control of the town, which is located in an area claimed by both Somaliland and Puntland.
The fighting resulted in the deaths and the displacement of hundreds of civilians according human right groups.
