Sudan surpasses 100 attacks on healthcare since 2023 armed conflict began
WHO believes the number of attacks is likely much higher than what is currently verifiable
Cairo, September 24, 2024 The number of attacks on healthcare facilities in Sudan since the onset of the armed conflict in April 2023 has exceeded 100, with 108 incidents verified by WHO until mid-September.
WHO believes that the number of attacks is likely much higher than what is currently verifiable. The ongoing—and, in some areas, worsening—violence hinders our ability to independently verify both attacks and casualties.
Dr. Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasised how difficult it is to ascertain the true scale of the impact on healthcare. “For each attack, there is a human cost that is borne by the entire community,” she said.
“In times of extreme violence, as we are unfortunately witnessing in Sudan today, it becomes even more crucial to have a functional health system. But instead, we not only see facilities but also health workers – the caregivers to the most vulnerable in society – targeted, despite their inspirational commitment to serve,” Dr Balkhy added.
Of the more than 100 verified attacks, over 75 have involved health facilities, and 45 have impacted health personnel. In addition to these, attacks have been reported on transport, including ambulances, medical supplies, and warehouses. In 29 of these incidents, patients were directly impacted. The worst affected have been the states of Khartoum, Darfur, and South Kordofan.
A nurse* working at a primary healthcare center in Darfur described the challenges faced after the facility where she was working
