Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has raised alarm over rising civilian casualties from drone strikes in the Tina area along the Chad-Sudan border.
In a statement, MSF said that since early May, it has received an influx of wounded patients at Tiné Hospital following what residents describe as near-daily strikes attributed to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with as many as five or six occurring on some days.
“Since the beginning of May, 116 people wounded in these strikes have been treated at Tiné Hospital. Between May 17 and 26 alone, 69 wounded patients were admitted. On May 24, a strike hit a busy cafeteria in Tina market, resulting in the arrival of 35 wounded people in a single day. Three people were declared dead on arrival at the hospital, while several others reportedly died at the scene. Women and children were among the casualties,” MSF stated.
According to MSF, the border region between Chad and Sudan is severely affected by the conflict in Darfur, population displacement, and limited access to essential services, including healthcare. Repeated strikes are worsening an already critical humanitarian situation.
Since the war in Sudan began in April 2023, more than 900,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to eastern Chad.
In response, MSF has expanded its activities in the provinces of Sila, Wadi Fira and Ouaddaï. In eastern Chad, its teams are also working in Adré, Ouré Cassoni, Iridimi, Touloum and Aboutengué, providing emergency medical care and supporting health facilities serving both refugees and host communities.
“We are receiving patients after hours of travel, often in extremely difficult and critical condition. The injuries we are treating are often extremely severe, including serious burns, blast-related trauma and multiple injuries. We recently treated a child with severe burns to the face, arms and legs. Every delay in evacuation reduces the chances of survival for the most critically injured patients,” Issiaka Abdou, MSF Head of Mission in Chad, said.
The profile of patients is also shifting, with women and children now frequently among the injured.
“On 26 May, all patients who were received following drone strikes were civilians. This shows just how exposed people living in this border area are to violence,” he added.
MSF provides medical care at Tiné Hospital and, when necessary, organises referrals to other facilities, including in Abéché, for the most severe cases.
The organisation notes that health facilities in the region are operating under extremely challenging conditions, with high needs and limited resources.
“Despite these constraints, our teams continue to provide emergency medical care and respond to influxes of wounded patients in coordination with the Chadian health authorities,” said Cissé Boucari Hamadoum, MSF Project Coordinator in Tiné.
MSF has called for de‑escalation of the conflict and protection of civilians from the strikes.
“Civilians should never pay the price of conflict. It is essential that populations are protected and that wounded people can access medical care quickly and safely,” MSF urged.
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