A view of a UAE-funded field hospital in the Chadian city of Amjaras. — Photo: Wam Files
Published: Saturday, September 28, 2024, 8:53am
Last updated: Saturday, September 28, 2024, 8:58 a.m.
The Emirates Red Crescent Society (ERC) has denied allegations that the UAE field hospital in Chad is being misused.
A news article claimed that a hospital in the Chadian city of Amjaras was “used for non-humanitarian activities,” but the ERC said this accusation was false and unsubstantiated.
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“It is alarming that ERC’s humanitarian and philanthropic work could be subject to false allegations and potentially politicized in this way,” the group said in a statement on Saturday. Ta.
Media reports failed to provide any evidence for the accusations – “because no such evidence exists,” he added.
The ERC also denied claims that it had refused a request by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to gain access to the Amjaras facility.
“As access to hospital areas is within the jurisdiction of local authorities in receiving countries, we will work with the IFRC to determine how such access could have been prevented,” the report said.
Established in July 2023, the Amjadras facility has supported vulnerable populations, including Sudanese refugees fleeing conflict in their home country. According to the ERC, the hospital was established shortly after the outbreak of the Sudanese crisis in April 2023, after an offer to establish a field hospital on Sudanese territory was rejected.
According to the ERC, the hospital has treated 8,808 Sudanese and 19,658 Chadians, as well as performed 550 surgeries.
Below is a photo of the facility taken in 2023 showing its operational status.
“In operating the Amjaras facility, ERC’s sole focus remains on providing essential medical care to the most urgent cases under these difficult circumstances,” it added.
The group said the allegations were “reckless and harmful” and “put the safety of humanitarian workers at risk.”
It added: “Allegations of this nature jeopardize our ability to effectively deliver critical aid to those in need.”
In addition to the facility in Amjadras, the ERC established another field hospital in Abéché, which treated 21,761 patients.
“These UAE field hospitals are a critical lifeline for civilians in need, providing treatment to Sudanese refugees and Chadian residents fleeing conflict. , is available to all civilians in need, regardless of gender or political affiliation.”
(Input from Wham)
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