Doctors Without Borders has halted its aid work in the Zamzam camp due to escalating violence in Sudan. The conflict between the military and Rapid Support Forces hampers life-saving medical care, leading to patient fatalities. Access to essential resources is worsening, highlighting a critical humanitarian crisis affecting around 500,000 displaced individuals.
Due to intensified fighting in Sudan, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has suspended its operations at the Zamzam refugee camp, which hosts 500,000 people. The organization cited escalating violence between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces as the reason, making it unsafe to provide essential medical care. MSF’s field hospital in the camp, primarily designed for malnutrition treatment, is unable to perform trauma surgeries required for injured patients.
Yahya Kalilah, MSF’s head of mission in Sudan, expressed distress over the decision, stating that the group had “little choice” given the dangers of violence and the challenges in delivering supplies. As the fighting escalated, 130 wounded patients flooded the field hospital, with a significant number suffering from gunshot wounds. Unfortunately, MSF’s inability to refer critical cases to facilities in El Fasher has resulted in patient fatalities, including children.
Furthermore, access to essential resources like water and food has deteriorated in the community due to the conflict. Reports from newly arrived displaced families highlight severe abuses, including killings and sexual violence. MSF’s ambulances have come under fire while transporting patients, complicating medical emergencies. As a result, many individuals requiring immediate surgery or emergency procedures remain trapped in Zamzam, amidst rising peril.
The ongoing civil war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has severely disrupted essential humanitarian aid efforts, particularly in the Zamzam refugee camp. The escalation of violence has made it dangerously challenging to deliver medical assistance, leading to tragic outcomes for vulnerable populations. MSF’s heartbreaking halt in operations underscores the dire situation faced by those in need of urgent healthcare support amidst overwhelming conflict. This situation reflects a broader humanitarian crisis, with implications for over 14 million displaced people in Sudan, highlighting the urgent need for increased international attention and response to the ongoing violence and its repercussions.
Original Source: apnews.com
