Since 10 May, El Fasher, in North Darfur state, Sudan, has seen intense fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Joint Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As the conflict continues to ravage El Fasher, the city's hospitals have been damaged and shut down. Meanwhile, thousands of people are fleeing in search of safety, with many arriving at Zamzam camp, where there is already an acute malnutrition crisis.
Teams from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are adapting their response to maintain provision of medical assistance as needs escalate and access to care diminishes. Of the three main hospitals in El Fasher, only Saudi hospital remains operational today. The Babiker Nahar paediatric hospital was damaged on 11 May, when an airstrike carried out by the SAF landed 50 metres away.
Since 24 May, South hospital was hit by mortars and bullets multiple times, killing two people and wounding 14, and leading MSF and the Ministry of Health to evacuate patients. On 8 June, the South hospital was completely shut down after being stormed and looted by the RSF who fired shots inside the facility. "Fortunately, most patients had already been evacuated from South hospital before the RSF raid, and the remaining patients and staff were able to escape," says Michel-Olivier Lacharité, MSF head of emergencies.
"But the fact remains that hospitals have not been spared by anyone." "Now, only Saudi Hospital, has surgical capacity for the whole of El Fasher, and we fear for its s.
