El-Fasher Hospital Closure in Western Sudan Raises Humanitarian Concerns
The last operating hospital in El-Fasher, western Sudan, has been closed following a paramilitary attack, plunging the Darfur region into a dire humanitarian crisis. The closure of South Hospital has exacerbated the already fragile healthcare system in the region, which is on the brink of famine.
The attack, carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), involved gunfire and looting, including the theft of an MSF ambulance. The incident occurred amidst intense fighting in El-Fasher, which has killed over 190 people and wounded more than 1,200 since May 10. The MSF reported that only a handful of patients and a reduced medical team remained in the hospital at the time of the attack, with most staff and patients fleeing the gunfire.
The closure of South Hospital has left El-Fasher without access to essential medical care. The remaining healthcare facilities are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the region. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has displaced nearly nine million people and killed tens of thousands, including up to 15,000 in a single town in West Darfur. Both warring sides have been accused of war crimes, including targeting civilians, indiscriminate shelling, and blocking humanitarian aid.
The international community has condemned the attack on the hospital and called for an immediate cessation of violence. The incident has raised serious concerns over the safety and protection of healthcare workers and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan.
