El Fasher women’s and children’s hospital shelled, multiple injured

May 19, 2024 (EL FASHER) – The specialized Women’s, Maternity, and Neonatal Hospital in El Fasher, North Darfur, was struck by heavy artillery fire from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Sunday, injuring nine people and inflicting substantial damage to the facility.

This attack comes amidst escalating violence in El Fasher, where fierce clashes between the Sudanese army, its allied armed movements, and the RSF have resulted in over 40 civilian deaths and 500 injuries in the past week. The RSF, aiming to seize control of the last remaining city in Darfur not under their control, have been accused of deliberately targeting populated areas in the town.

A medical source reported that the shelling damaged the hospital’s water and power systems, as well as several wards and offices. They condemned the attack as a violation of international law and accused the RSF of intentionally targeting civilian areas to displace residents.

The attack raises concerns about the continued operation of medical facilities in El Fasher, as both public and private hospitals face threats of closure due to direct targeting. The Babikir Nahar Pediatric Center was recently rendered non-operational after an airstrike, leaving El Fasher South Hospital as the sole functioning government facility. However, the hospital is struggling to cope with the influx of wounded and a severe shortage of medicines and supplies due to the ongoing siege imposed by the RSF.

The siege, which began in April, has caused a critical shortage of life-saving medicines, exacerbating the suffering of patients, particularly those with chronic illnesses.