Doctors Without Borders say that the increase in the fight in the Zamzam camp and its surroundings has made it too dangerous to operate.
Doctors Without Borders have said that they are suspending their work in a camp affected by famine for displaced people in the northern region of Darfur in Sudan, since an increase in violent attacks has made it too dangerous to operate.
In a statement on Monday, the medical beneficial organization, known for its acronym in French MSF, said the fights in the Zamzam camp and its surroundings, near the city of El-Fafas, made it “impossible … continue providing medical assistance. “
“Despite the generalized starvation and the immense humanitarian needs, we have no choice but to make the decision to suspend all our activities in the camp, including the MSF Field hospital,” the group said.
MSF was one of the few humanitarian groups that still work in the camp, which houses approximately half a million people displaced by the devastating civil war of 22 months of Sudan.
The health workers of the Campo Hospital of the organization in Zamzam had helped treat people injured in attacks by the Paramilitary Fast Support forces (RSF) this month, and gave attention to thousands of malnourished children.
“Stop our project in the midst of a disaster that worsens in Zamzam is a heartbreaking decision,” said Yahya Kalilah, director of the MSF Sudan country.
“The great proximity of violence, great difficulties in sending supplies, the impossibility of sending experienced personnel for adequate support and uncertainty regarding the routes outside the camp for our colleagues and civilians leave us with few options.”
We have made the difficult decision to suspend our activities in Zamzam Camp, North Darfur, Sudan. Violence has wrapped the camp, which houses around 500,000 people.
We urge all armed actors in the area to protect civilians.
The details:
– MSF International (@msf) February 24, 2025
The war in Sudan broke out between the RSF and the Sudanese army in April 2023.
Both parties have been accused of war crimes, since the United Nations says that violence has killed tens of thousands of people, forced 14 million to flee their homes and stimulate a humanitarian crisis.
On February 11, the RSF broke into Zamzam, caused two days of clashes with the army and the allied armed groups and forced some 10,000 families to flee, according to the United Nations International Migration Organization (IIM).
MSF said their teams had treated 139 patients with shooting wounds and shrapnel in their field hospital so far this month. But 11 people, including five children, died because the installation lacked the necessary equipment.
The organization also said that its ambulances were attacked in recent months.
Meanwhile, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, warned an “additional escalation” on Monday after the RSF and his allies agreed to form a parallel government.
Guterres spokesman Stephane Durric said the UN Chief was “deeply worried” about Sunday's announcement. “This additional climbing in the conflict … deepens the fragmentation of the country,” Dujarric said.
The Government led by RSF is not expected to receive generalized recognition, with the group accused of carrying out war crimes, including genocide.
But it is a sign that the Sudan splinter could be cementing since the RSF focuses on the western region of Darfur while losing ground in another place.
