To mark World Humanitarian Day (19 August), we turn our attention to conflict areas where the efforts of ICRC staff and those of our partners have been compromised, including by direct attacks. The first in our three-part video series was filmed at Medina hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Somalia: Hospital provides life-line despite direct attacks

The capital Mogadishu has suffered 20 years of conflict, causing thousands of deaths and injuries. But amidst the suffering, medical staff at Medina hospital, led by Dr Mohamed Yusuf, offer a life-line, treating the war-wounded and tending the sick, despite several direct attacks on the hospital and threats to its staff. In the first six months of 2012, 2,443 patients have been treated – more than a third of them war-wounded – in this hospital supported by the ICRC.

Dr. Yusuf explains how the hospital's neutrality and impartiality have enabled it to maintain services despite several attacks in one of the most dangerous environments in the world.