The RSF has detained two volunteers from Bashair Hospital in Khartoum, following previous arrests and amid rising concerns about patient care. Humanitarian workers face heightened dangers in the region, contributing to significant withdrawals of medical support organizations. Since April 2023, 57 emergency volunteers have been reported killed, emphasizing the critical situation for both patients and health providers in Sudan.
On February 8, 2025, reports emerged of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) detaining two volunteers from the South Belt Emergency Room at Bashair Hospital in southern Khartoum. This follows a prior incident involving the arrest of volunteer Hatem Al-Daw, raising alarms about the potential risks to patients reliant on these volunteers for humanitarian efforts. A statement from the South Belt Emergency Room detailed that RSF operatives, heavily armed, forcibly removed Hashim Taif and Mohamed Abdallah Mardoem from the hospital facility.
The RSF’s actions have prompted significant concern as they persistently raid Bashair Hospital, which remains the only operational hospital in southern Khartoum. This situation has forced Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to cease their operations at the facility due to increasing safety concerns. Residents in southern Khartoum face compounded challenges, including rampant insecurity and soaring food prices, exacerbated by the army’s advance, which raises fears of possible misconduct against humanitarian volunteers.
Since the onset of conflict on April 15, 2023, reports indicate that at least 57 volunteers operating in emergency rooms have lost their lives. This alarming statistic highlights the dangerous working conditions for those involved in humanitarian work amid the ongoing violence in the region. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has noted this concerning trend, underscoring the need for protective measures for volunteers in crisis zones.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are a paramilitary group in Sudan with significant involvement in recent conflicts. Bashair Hospital, located in southern Khartoum, is essential for the local population, particularly amid growing violence and instability. The arrests of volunteers, such as Hatem Al-Daw and others, illustrate the threats faced by those providing humanitarian aid. The situation is critical, with international organizations like Doctors Without Borders withdrawing due to safety risks, leaving vulnerable populations without necessary medical support.
The RSF’s detention of volunteers at Bashair Hospital illustrates the urgent risks faced by humanitarian workers in Sudan. As the conflict escalates, with at least 57 volunteers killed since April 2023, the health and safety of patients reliant on these services are in jeopardy. There is a pressing need for international attention and protective actions to ensure that humanitarian efforts can continue safely in conflict-affected areas.
Original Source: sudantribune.com
