Last hospital in El Fasher risks closure during intensive bombardment on the city

Nairobi – As the fighting escalates in El Fasher, Sudan, once more, its impact on the lives of civilians is becoming increasingly devastating. Multiple attacks on the city have taken place over the past week and since Saturday, at least 15 people have been killed, more than 130 have been injured, and yet another attack on Saudi hospital, where the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) supports with fuel and supplies, has occurred. Saudi is last remaining public hospital in the city with the capacity to treat the wounded and perform surgery. This attack caused extensive damage and has left the facility only partially functioning.

The attack took place on Sunday 11 August, marking the 11th time a hospital in El Fasher has been hit since the fighting escalated on 10 May. The surgical ward was hit during the bombardment, killing the carer of a patient and injuring five others, while the maternity unit was also damaged. In addition, a number of hospital offices were hit, and a nurse sustained injuries while working inside.

Already, Saudi hospital had been inundated with wounded people following heavy fighting on Saturday 10 August. Over 100 people arrived at the facility that day, and 14 passed away from their injuries. At the same time, 15 casualties were brought from El Fasher to our facilities in Zamzam camp, located 15 kilometres from the city. It is expected that the fighting will become even more intense over the coming days. 

“For more than three months, people in El Fasher have been under constant bombardment,” says Michel Olivier Lacharité, head of MSF’s emergency operations. “Shelling from both sides has impacted on the city resulting in over 2,500 casualties arriving at MSF-supported hospitals and more than 370 of these patients passing away from their injuries. The number of victims of the conflict is unknown.”