Ukraine, MSF: “No mercy for civilians”

Between March 31 and June 6, Médecins Sans Frontières teams in Ukraine evacuated 653 patients on the medical train. This was revealed by the report “No mercy for civilians” by MSF. During 20-30 hour journeys from the most war-affected areas in the west of the country to hospitals in safer areas, MSF nurses and doctors monitor and treat patients to keep them stable until arrival. Ukraine: Msf, out of over 600 patients 355 are war wounded. Of the more than 600 Ukrainian patients transported and treated, 355 are war wounded. The majority suffered blast injuries, 11% of war-related trauma patients are under 18, 30% over 60. Blast injuries account for 73% of war-related trauma cases, with 20% due to shrapnel or gunshots and the rest from other violent incidents. Over 10% of traumatic patients have lost one or more limbs, the youngest being just six years old. “Continuous and indiscriminate attacks on civilians” Medical data and testimonies of patients evacuated from the train used as an emergency clinic of Doctors Without Borders “show the shameful lack of protection of civilians in the war in Ukraine. Over 40% of the injured. wars transferred by train is represented by seniors and children with blast injuries, traumatic amputations, shrapnel and gunshot injuries. humanitarian, “the report reads. “The wounds and stories of our patients unquestionably show the shocking suffering that the indiscriminate violence of this war is inflicting on civilians – said Christopher Stokes, MSF emergency coordinator in Ukraine – Many of the people on board the MSF train were injured following military attacks that hit residential areas. Even if we cannot confirm the intention to strike civilians, the decision to use heavy weapons on densely populated areas inevitably, and therefore knowingly, involves their killing or wounding ”. Heartbreaking details emerged from the reports of MSF patients: civilians shot during evacuations or attacked while trying to leave the war zones; indiscriminate bombings that killed and mutilated those who lived and took refuge in residential areas; elderly victims of violence, directly attacked despite their condition of vulnerability; the wounds are often extensive and horrific, indiscriminately hit men, women, children, young or old. MSF patients and their companions on the train tell unimaginable stories of children, men and women trapped in conflict, bombed in shelters, attacked during evacuations and seriously injured in explosions, shots, or victims of mines and shrapnel. There are those who were injured at home and those who came under heavy gun fire as they fled to safer areas. Most of the patients indicated the Russian military or Russian-backed forces as responsible for the attacks that hit them. “I was going to the bathroom when there was an explosion – says a 92-year-old woman from Lyman, in the region. from Donetsk – I lost consciousness and fell. When I recovered my face was covered in blood, now clotted. I had an open fracture in my arm and when I fell I also broke my nose. I was alone and in pain, asking for help but no one heard me. Later, a volunteer found me and it took two days to find an ambulance to take me to the hospital ”. MSF’s appeal to all parties involved: “respect the obligation to protect civilians” “As in all conflicts, Doctors Without Borders asks all parties involved to respect international humanitarian law and the obligation to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, to allow people to flee for safety and to allow the timely and safe evacuation of the sick and injured. Furthermore, we call for humanitarian access to be allowed in order to be able to assist people wherever they are. Our appeal is urgent because in Ukraine we continue to witness indiscriminate attacks against civilians ”. This was declared by Bertrand Draguez, president of MSF.