Civilians in Sudan have faced extreme violence during over a year of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders – MSF). The aid group reported on Monday that both sides have subjected civilians to repeated attacks, abuse, and exploitation.
Health System Collapse Worsens Crisis
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has left Sudan’s health system in ruins. MSF’s report highlights the severe impact on civilians’ physical and mental health, exacerbated by the lack of an international humanitarian response. MSF teams have treated thousands of war-wounded individuals in areas devastated by bombings, shellings, and attacks on essential infrastructure.
Access to lifesaving care in Sudan is severely restricted. Widespread shortages, obstruction, looting of medical supplies, insecurity, and attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel have compounded the crisis. MSF accused the warring parties of blatant disregard for human life and international law, emphasizing the dire need for increased humanitarian aid and protection.
Vickie Hawkins, General Director of MSF Netherlands, spoke at a press conference in Amman, Jordan, detailing these abuses. She called for immediate action to protect civilians and ensure safe passage for aid. Hawkins urged the warring parties to cease attacks on residential areas and preserve critical infrastructure from further destruction and looting.
Civilian Testimonies Reveal Horrific Violence
In camps and gathering sites for refugees and displaced persons, civilians have recounted harrowing experiences of violence and abuse. According to MSF, armed groups have systematically forced evictions, looted property, and committed acts of arson. Sexual and gender-based violence is pervasive but often goes unreported due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and a lack of protection services.
“The stories we hear from survivors are harrowing,” said Hawkins. “Women and girls are particularly vulnerable, facing sexual violence that goes unreported due to fear and lack of support.”
MSF’s teams on the ground have witnessed firsthand the extent of the suffering. They have set up clinics and mobile units to provide essential medical care, despite the dangers. “Our medical staff have been working under extreme conditions, with limited supplies and constant threats,” Hawkins added.
The aid group called on the international community to increase pressure on the warring factions to stop targeted violence, including ethnic and sexual violence. It also highlighted the critical need for humanitarian corridors to deliver aid and medical supplies to those in desperate need.
Urgent Calls for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid
The conflict was triggered by a plan to integrate the army and paramilitary forces into a unified structure as part of a transition to democratic elections following the ousting of autocrat Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Despite numerous mediation efforts, hostilities continue unabated, with death toll estimates running into the tens of thousands.
“The situation in Sudan is dire,” said Hawkins. “The international response has been inadequate, leaving civilians to bear the brunt of the violence.”
MSF’s report underscores the urgency of the situation. The aid group called on the warring parties to cease attacks on residential areas and allow safe passage and protection of infrastructure from further destruction and looting. It also urged them to stop what it said were targeted forms of violence and abuse, including ethnic and sexual violence.
In addition to the violence, the collapse of Sudan’s health system has left millions without access to essential care. Hospitals and clinics have been destroyed, and medical supplies are scarce. MSF has been working to fill the gap, providing critical medical services and supplies to those in need.
“The health system in Sudan has collapsed,” Hawkins stated. “Our teams are doing everything they can, but the need is overwhelming. We need more support from the international community.”
Despite the challenges, MSF remains committed to providing aid to the people of Sudan. The organization has called on other humanitarian groups to join their efforts and for international donors to increase their support.
“We cannot do this alone,” said Hawkins. “The people of Sudan need our help now more than ever.”
MSF’s report serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict in Sudan. As the fighting continues, the need for a coordinated international response becomes increasingly urgent. The lives of millions of Sudanese civilians hang in the balance, and the world must act to prevent further suffering.
Source: Reuters
