Doctors Without Borders: We Are Trapped with Thousands of Civilians in Nyala

Moatinoon
Doctors Without Borders organization has stated that its staff in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, are trapped along with tens of thousands of civilians due to intensified fighting in the region and random attacks. The organization expressed concern for the safety of its staff and civilians, leaving them at the mercy of armed militants who have overrun the area.

All parties to the conflict were urged to respect civilians and civilian infrastructure, allow people safe passage, and ensure the protection of humanitarian workers and facilities from the fighting.

Anna Belond, the Emergency Coordinator of the organization, said that the shelling killed 27 people in one day on Wednesday, August 23, most of whom were women and children, while they were seeking shelter under a bridge after finding themselves within firing range.

She explained that armed fighters stormed houses and took cover inside them, using civilians as human shields, leaving them without any protected spaces. Markets and residential areas turned into battlegrounds, and all roads leading to and from Nyala were closed, leaving citizens with no possibility of escape to save their lives.

A grim picture was painted of the fate of the wounded and patients in the city, as the only hospital in the area, Cass Hospital, located an hour and a half away by car from the Jebel Marra base, fell under the control of armed groups. This leaves civilians with limited or no opportunity to access medical care.

A warning was issued that time is running out for those who were injured in the recent fighting.

Efforts to find alternatives, such as setting up a clinic in Kalu Kitting, which is three hours away from Nyala and one hour away from Cass, have not succeeded. She added, We are unable to provide the urgently needed medical care in Nyala due to the chaotic situation.