Doctors Without Borders lose two staff in Burkina Faso

Two staff members of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have been killed in the Boucle du Mouhoun region, in northwestern Burkina Faso – forcing the charity organization to suspend its medical activities in the region.

The organization said in a statement that unidentified armed men attacked Wednesday one of its vehicles carrying a team of four people, including medical staff, on the road between Dédougou and Tougan.

Two staff members were killed, while two others managed to escape, MSF said in a statement.

The two victims, from Burkina Faso, were employed by MSF as a driver, since July 2021, and a logistics supervisor, since June 2020. They were 39 and 34 years old, respectively.

“We are shocked and outraged by this killing. This is a deliberate and intentional attack on a clearly identified humanitarian team, during its medical work,” Isabelle Defourny, President of MSF said.

We have suspended our activities in the Boucle du Mouhoun region, until we have a better understanding of this tragic event, the non-profit organization indicated.

Burkina Faso is facing unprecedented political, security and humanitarian crises, resulting in the displacement of nearly two million people following violence and fighting between armed groups and government forces.