Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has suspended medical operations in Zamzam camp due to increasing violence, creating dire conditions for displaced individuals. The camp faces rampant starvation and insecurity, hampering access to essential care. MSF reported tragic patient deaths due to lack of surgical support and calls for urgent humanitarian action to protect civilians and improve aid accessibility in conflict zones.
The escalating violence in Zamzam camp near El Fasher, North Darfur, has compelled Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to suspend all medical services, including the operation of their field hospital. With an ongoing humanitarian crisis, including widespread starvation, MSF can no longer guarantee the safety of their staff or the patients they serve.
In February alone, the MSF field hospital received 139 patients suffering from gunshot and shrapnel wounds. The facility, intended to address severe malnutrition and famine declared in the area, is ill-equipped for trauma surgery, leading to tragic losses among vulnerable patients. Yahya Kalilah, MSF’s country director in Sudan, noted that eleven patients died in the MSF hospital, including five children, due to the inability to provide adequate treatment or safe transport to facilities with surgical capabilities.
Ongoing conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Joint Forces has worsened conditions for civilians, with fresh assaults on the camp. Looting and destruction of the local market have exacerbated the dire situation for the displaced, who now face increased challenges accessing basic necessities like food and clean water. As a result, the medical care for critical cases has become nearly impossible.
Kalilah described the decision to halt MSF operations as heartbreaking, highlighting their relentless efforts over the past two years amid severe obstacles. He explained that the security situation has deteriorated to a point where even supply deliveries and staff assistance are jeopardized. Thus, MSF had no viable alternative but to suspend services to safeguard their team and clients.
Zamzam camp currently harbors about 500,000 displaced individuals, including those fleeing violent areas. Reports indicate widespread abuses such as looting, sexual violence, and killings in surrounding regions. Many families have sought refuge in Tawila, enduring harrowing journeys that left them empty-handed and vulnerable.
MSF is calling for all armed factions to protect civilians and allow safe passage for those seeking refuge. While operations continue in Tawila, MSF is striving to find alternative methods to assist those trapped in Zamzam and El Fasher without putting staff at risk. They urge for expedited humanitarian support as the local situation deteriorates further.
As the conflict in Sudan persists, MSF emphasizes the necessity for unrestricted access to aid for affected populations. They reinforce their demands for a significant increase in humanitarian assistance, insisting that parties involved in the conflict facilitate safer pathways for delivering medical care and basic supplies to those in need.
In summary, the abatement of MSF activities in Zamzam camp highlights the dire humanitarian crisis amid escalating violence in North Darfur. The situation has forced MSF to suspend critical medical services, leaving vulnerable populations without necessary assistance. Continued fighting hampers access to essential supplies, exacerbating the plight of countless displaced individuals. MSF urges immediate action from armed forces to ensure civilian protection and facilitate needed aid delivery.
Original Source: www.doctorswithoutborders.ca
