Doctors Without Borders (DWB) is a nonprofit organization made up of doctors who treat individuals that have been injured through wars, epidemics, natural disasters, and other situations all over the world. On November 25th, it was reported that a U.S. airstrike mistakenly killed 30 people at the DWB hospital located in Kunduz, Afghanistan.

According to CNN, this airstrike occurred as a result of military personnel who attempted to aim at a suspicious site from which a group of Taliban fighters were firing, but instead shot at the hospital compound. General Campbell admits to CNN, “The proximate cause of this tragedy was the direct result of avoidable human error, compounded by processes and equipment failures.” It was not only determined that the shooting was a mistake, but also verified that the electronic systems behind the AC-130, the aircraft, were malfunctioned and prevented command and control functioning.

What’s truly shocking is that the investigation behind the DWB case told a U.S. military official that their facility was being attacked for more than 10 minutes, and that it took an extra 17 minutes for them to realize they were actually hitting the hospital. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tells CNN that the investigation was carried in a thorough and smooth manner, and that as President, he will do his best to ensure no tragedy like this ever happens again.

Although it is clear that this mishap is completely the U.S. military personnel’s fault, it is still unfortunate to hear that 30 of the Doctors Without Border’s personnel have lost their lives through this matter. We sincerely thank the doctors who have lost their lives for what they have fulfilled. Our hearts go out to you, the brave doctors of America.


<Diane Kim, Rosary High School 10th Grade>