Last Civilian Hospital In Besieged Sudan City Forced to Close After Attack.

By Caroline Ameh

In a devastating blow to civilians in the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher, the last functioning hospital has been forced to shut down following a vicious attack on Monday .

The medical facility, supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), was hailed as the sole remaining bastion of medical care for injured civilians in el-Fasher.

Reports emerged of shells striking the South Hospital in el-Fasher, causing casualties, before eyewitnesses revealed that fighters from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) infiltrated the facility. On Saturday, RSF fighters stormed the hospital, unleashing chaos by opening fire, looting medical supplies, stealing an ambulance, and assaulting staff.

Maximilien Kowalski, MSF’s interim head of mission in Sudan, expressed grave concern over the attack, stating that amidst the chaos, the fate of those inside the hospital remains uncertain. The facility had been targeted multiple times in recent days, prompting plans for relocation due to security threats.

Following the assault, the hospital was left incapacitated, leaving civilians with nowhere to turn for urgent medical assistance. MSF’s operations have since been relocated to the dilapidated Saudi Hospital, where essential services are severely lacking, exacerbating the plight of the injured.

Michel Lacharite, MSF Head of Emergencies, condemned the attack as an egregious violation of international norms, stressing that hospitals must be spared from conflict. The closure of the hospital represents a significant setback for the people of el-Fasher, depriving them of vital medical care amid escalating violence.

The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has exacted a heavy toll on civilians, with over 15,000 deaths and nearly nine million displaced. The RSF’s involvement in atrocities, including the recent massacre in Wad al-Nourah, has drawn condemnation from international observers, with accusations of ethnic cleansing and the use of rape as a weapon of war.

Despite numerous peace talks, the conflict shows no signs of abating, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and pushing millions to the brink of starvation.

As the world’s largest displacement crisis unfolds, urgent action is needed to address the escalating violence and protect the lives of civilians caught in the crossfire.