Violence, displacements overwhelm healthcare system in Sudan's El-Fasher: UN

UNITED NATIONS, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Violence and waves of displacements have overwhelmed the fragile healthcare system in El-Fasher, the capital of Sudan's North Darfur state, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.

"More than 200 health facilities in El Fasher are not functioning, and there are severe shortages of medical staff, essential medicines and life-saving supplies," said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Humanitarian partners have been trying to provide medical supplies, but their efforts to deliver continue to be impeded by insecurity and access constraints, the office said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 70 percent of hospitals and health facilities across areas impacted by the hostilities in Sudan are no longer operational, leaving millions without healthcare.

"Sudan's health system has also come under relentless attack," WHO said. "As of mid-February, WHO recorded nearly 150 attacks on health care in Sudan since the war there began, but the real figure could be far higher."

OCHA appealed to the parties involved in the conflict to ensure safe, sustained, and timely humanitarian access to reach people needing life-saving support. Civilians must be protected, and the essential needs for their survival must be met.

Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since mid-April 2023. ■