Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the death of two of our colleagues, Mohammad Hassan, a 37-year-old nurse employed by MSF in Shinkafi, Zamfara province in northwest Nigeria, and Atef Seif Mohammed Al-Harazy, a 35-year-old nurse working in the MSF supported General hospital in Dhi As Sufal district (Ibb governorate), Yemen.
Mohammad was killed on 2 October when armed individuals opened fire on the public vehicle in which he was travelling. Another person was wounded in the unprovoked attack. His tragic death is an example of the rising violence in northwest Nigeria that is deeply affecting the lives of the population and has driven thousands of people from their homes. MSF condemns the attack and calls for the respect of civilians and humanitarian workers.
In Zamfara province, MSF provides medical humanitarian assistance to the populations of Anka, Gusau, and Zurmi. In Shinkafi, MSF teams run a 33-bed therapeutic feeding centre and an inpatient paediatric department in Shinkafi general hospital. We also provide mental health consultations and provide care for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
Atef was killed in the late evening on 4 October by armed robbers during a private trip with friends to Aden. His friends remained unharmed.
MSF has been working in the General Rural Hospital of Dhi As Sufal district in Ibb Governorate since February 2016, providing care in emergency rooms, operational theatres, intensive care units, neonatal and paediatric units and inpatient departments. The teams also offer mental health care and ensure mass casualty management capacity of the hospital.
MSF sends its deepest condolences to the grieving families, friends and colleagues of both Mohammad and Atef. Our thoughts at this tragic time are with them. We are supporting them in these difficult circumstances.
