Drone strikes at Chad-Sudan border: MSF treats 116 wounded in one month and warns of increasing civilian casualties
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Since early May, drone strikes around Tina, Sudan, near the Chadian border, have intensified, leading to repeated influxes of wounded patients at Tiné Hospital, supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Chad. In recent weeks, residents have reported 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 were treated at Tiné Hospital. Between 17 and 26 May alone, 69 wounded patients were admitted. On 24 May, 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.
“We are receiving patients after hours of travel, often in extremely difficult and critical condition,” says Issiaka Abdou, MSF Head of Mission in Chad.
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.”
MSF medical teams are also observing a worrying shift in the profile of the patients being received.
“In recent days, we have seen more and more women and children among the wounded,” says Issiaka Abdou.
On 26 May, all patients received following drone strikes were civilians. This shows just how exposed people living in this border area are to violence.”
Access to healthcare is severely hampered by the conflict
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 further exacerbating an already critical humanitarian situation.
Health facilities in this region are operating in an extremely challenging environment, with high needs and limited resources,” says Cissé Boucari Hamadoum, MSF Project Coordinator in Tiné.
“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.”
MSF provides medical care to patients at Tiné Hospital and, when necessary, organizes referrals to other medical facilities, including in Abéché, for the most severe cases.
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.
The MSF's response
Since the start of the war in Sudan in April 2023, more than 900,000 Sudanese refugees have sought refuge in eastern Chad. In response to this crisis, MSF has expanded its activities in the provinces of Sila, Wadi Fira and Ouaddaï.
In eastern Chad, MSF teams are working in Adré, Ouré Cassoni, Iridimi, Touloum, and Aboutengué, as well as in the surrounding villages in Ouaddaï province, and in Tiné in Wadi Fira province, providing emergency medical care and supporting health facilities that serve both refugee and host communities.