Medical Charity Suspends Operations in Sudan's Displacement Camp Amid Intense Violence

Synopsis

Doctors Without Borders has suspended all operations in the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur due to escalating violence. The organization faces significant challenges in providing medical assistance as the conflict intensifies. With over 500,000 residents, the camp is overwhelmed with new arrivals fleeing violence from nearby areas.

Key Takeaways

Doctors Without Borders halts activities in Zamzam camp.
Intense fighting impacts medical assistance efforts.
Over 500,000 people reside in the camp.
11 patients died, including 5 children, due to lack of treatment.
Conflict between SAF and RSF has devastated Sudan.

Khartoum, Feb 25 (NationPress) The non-governmental medical aid organization, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), has declared the cessation of all operations at the Zamzam displacement camp located in the western region of Sudan's North Darfur State.

According to a statement from MSF, "The current surge in violence and attacks in and around the Zamzam camp for displaced persons near El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, is rendering it impossible for us to continue our medical services."

"In spite of the extensive starvation and critical humanitarian needs, we find ourselves compelled to halt all activities in the camp, which includes the operation of the MSF field hospital," the organization added.

Yahya Kalilah, MSF's mission leader in Sudan, reported, "Eleven patients succumbed in the MSF hospital, five of whom were children, as we were unable to provide them with adequate treatment or transfer them to the Saudi hospital, the only facility nearby with surgical capabilities. "

He further remarked that the conflict in El Fasher is now directly impacting the Zamzam camp, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

"The closeness of the violence, significant challenges in delivering supplies, the inability to send skilled personnel, and uncertainty regarding evacuation routes from the camp have left us with limited options," he stated.

MSF revealed that the Zamzam camp, which accommodates around 500,000 individuals, has been experiencing an influx of new arrivals escaping from regions near El Fasher.

Intense combat has been occurring in El Fasher between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since May 10, 2024.

Since mid-April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a catastrophic conflict between the SAF and RSF, resulting in at least 29,683 fatalities by the end of 2024, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a crisis monitoring organization.