14/06/2024

Doctors Without Borders: Hundreds of Injured Die in El Fasher, Citizens Flee the City

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Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF) reported that the ongoing fighting in El Fasher, North Darfur, has resulted in the closure of hospitals one after another. Currently, only the Saudi Hospital remains operational among the citys three main hospitals, following the shutdown of Babiker Nehar Childrens Hospital and the Southern Hospital. MSFs field hospital in Zamzam camp also remains functional.

The organization stated that out of 1,418 injured individuals admitted to the Southern Hospital and subsequently to the Saudi Hospital from May 10 to June 11, 226 have died.

Michel-Olivier Lacharité, Head of Emergency Programs at MSF, said, "The Saudi Hospital is the only facility with surgical capacity covering the entire El Fasher, and we are concerned about its safety and the safety of those who need care." He described the situation in the city as chaotic.

"The entire city is unsafe, and communications are often disrupted, making it extremely difficult to move, assess needs, and organize supplies and support," he added.

"We are transferring maternal and newborn care services from the Southern Hospital to MSFs field hospital in Zamzam camp, located 15 kilometers outside the city," he continued.

Regarding the conditions of the citizens, MSF mentioned that people are fleeing the city in search of safety. MSF teams have observed people arriving in Zamzam and other areas such as Sortoni and Rokero in Jebel Marra.

Lacharité said, "Our teams have seen large numbers of people on the move, fleeing parts of the city and heading towards Zamzam. We do not yet have a clear estimate of how many people have left El Fasher, but it appears that tens of thousands have departed towards Zamzam."

The camp, located 15 kilometers south of El Fasher, hosts 300,000 displaced persons.

Lacharité warned that the situation indicates a massive life-threatening crisis in Zamzam camp.

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