The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami has expressed her profound sadness and frustration over the ongoing armed violence that is wreaking havoc on El Fasher city of Sudan’s North Darfur state.
“This is heartbreaking and must stop. There is no excuse for direct attacks on civilians, their assets and essential facilities such as hospitals. These are protected under the International Humanitarian law. Parties to the conflict must refrain from targeting the city,” she said in a statement, according to Sudan Tribune.
Initial reports, the UN said, indicate that large-scale fighting escalated in El Fasher on 12 September threatening the lives of thousands of people, mainly in camps for internally displaced people.
The clashes have impacted on healthcare facilities, but the number of civilian casualties is yet to be established. But the conflict continues, devastating lives, livelihoods and essential infrastructure.
El Fasher is home to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people at risk of famine, including in the Zamzam camp where famine has been confirmed. In addition, however, the public health system in Sudan has also been devastated by the ongoing conflict with many facilities destroyed, looted, or abandoned, leaving more than five million people without access to healthcare services.
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