El Fasher conflict death toll exceeds 470, health ministry official reveals
July 22, 2024 (EL FASHER) – Violence in El Fasher, North Darfur, has caused more than 5,000 casualties, including 750 deaths, since the fighting resumed last May, according to a state health ministry official.
An early agreement between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to avoid clashes in El Fasher collapsed after nearly a year, leading to the RSF’s siege of the city on May 10th and subsequent violent clashes.
Ibrahim Khater, Director General of the Ministry of Health in North Darfur, told Sudan Tribune that the death toll from the conflict has reached 750, with an additional 4,700 individuals injured. Khater highlighted the dire challenges facing the healthcare system, particularly the severe shortage of medical personnel, as many doctors have fled the region due to the persistent violence.
The United Nations has reported that the fighting, which erupted on May 10th, has displaced hundreds of thousands of people from El Fasher, with many seeking refuge in the Jebel Marra areas controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement.
Khater emphasized the urgent need for over 200 doctors across various specialities to staff the remaining operational hospitals in North Darfur. He noted that most of the remaining medical staff in El Fasher have chosen to remain in their homes or have relocated to other areas within the state in search of safety.
The official also revealed a critical shortage of essential medicines, including malaria treatments and medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. The Ministry of Health has been procuring medicines from local markets, company warehouses, and through imports to address these shortages.
Despite the immense challenges, Khater acknowledged the ongoing support from various health partners, including charities, national and international organizations, and individuals from Darfur who are working tirelessly to provide aid and alleviate the suffering in El Fasher.
Numerous hospitals and health centres in the city, including the southern hospital, have ceased operations due to artillery shelling and raids, primarily attributed to the RSF, which has also impeded the delivery of critical supplies to El Fasher.