MSF clinic looted in Khartoum, aid group demands action
August 31, 2024 (KHARTOUM) – Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Saturday that an armed group looted one of its clinics in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, hindering its ability to provide aid amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.
The incident occurred on August 17th at the Al Shaheed Wedatallah Primary Healthcare Centre (PHCC) in southern Khartoum, an area largely controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.
More than 20 armed men in military uniforms stormed the clinic, forcing guards at gunpoint to hand over 400 litres of fuel, communications equipment, and food supplies, MSF said in a statement. The guards were reportedly held captive overnight.
The stolen fuel was vital for maintaining the cold chain for vaccines, along with critical telecommunications equipment and food, stressed the statement.
MSF has repeatedly contacted both the RSF and its Sudanese Humanitarian Aid and Operations Agency, seeking the return of the stolen goods and clarification on the incident.
” We were reassured that measures to restore the stolen assets were taken”. However, this has not happened so far,” MSF said.
The same hospital had already suffered a similar situation here in April 2024.
“MSF strongly condemns this incident which seriously jeopardizes our capacity to continue providing adequate support to the PHCC in Kalakla, at a moment in which cholera outbreaks are being declared across Sudan”.
MSF called on both the RSF and the Sudanese authorities to ensure the immediate return of the stolen materials and guarantee the protection of medical facilities and staff.
The incident comes amid ongoing conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army, which has displaced millions and severely disrupted healthcare services. MSF has been a key provider of medical aid in Sudan but has faced challenges due to insecurity and looting.
Earlier this week, MSF warned that its operations in Darfur could be suspended if vital supplies, currently held up by the RSF, do not reach the region soon.
(ST)