Statement: The Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies comdemns attack on a maternity ward in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The Geneva Centre for Education and Research in Humanitarian Action strongly condemns the shocking attack of 12 May on a maternity ward at the Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital in the Afghan capital Kabul, which killed 14 people. Our partner Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), who run the maternity ward, confirmed the attack.

“Today we mourn the death of newborn babies, mothers and medical staff brutally killed while they were attending the most vulnerable among us”, said Prof. Karl Blanchet, Director of the Geneva centre.

“Attacks to medical facilities and health workers are particularly vicious as they deprive people from the fundamental right to health, often when they need urgent care. Today we stand in solidarity with our partner MSF and we call for action by the international community to do more to protect healthcare services and staff and to condemn these violations of international humanitarian law”, Prof. Blanchet concluded.