A devastating attack on the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, North Darfur, has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 460 patients and their companions, alongside the abduction of six vital health workers. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a strong condemnation of the incident, labeling it a horrific violation of international humanitarian law.
Escalating Violence in a Besieged City
Table of Contents
- 1. Escalating Violence in a Besieged City
- 2. Healthcare Workers Targeted
- 3. Humanitarian Crisis Reaches Critical Levels
- 4. Cholera Outbreak Compounds the Suffering
- 5. Aid Access Severely Restricted
- 6. Call for Immediate Action
- 7. understanding the Conflict in Darfur
- 8. Frequently Asked Questions
- 9. What international laws are being violated by the intentional targeting of patients and healthcare workers in El Fasher?
- 10. WHO Condemns Killings of Patients and Civilians in el Fasher amid Escalating Sudanese Violence
- 11. The Crisis in El Fasher: A Deepening Humanitarian Catastrophe
- 12. Recent Attacks and Reported Casualties
- 13. The Impact on Healthcare Infrastructure
- 14. WHO’s Response and Calls for Action
- 15. The Broader Context: sudan’s Ongoing Conflict
- 16. The Role of International Law and Accountability
The attack, which occurred on October 28th, is the fourth on the partially-functioning hospital this month alone, resulting in one nurse’s death and injuries to three others on October 26th. This represents a sharp escalation in violence within El Fasher, a city increasingly under siege, facing critical shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The situation is rapidly deteriorating, pushing the local health system to the brink of complete collapse.
Healthcare Workers Targeted
Among those abducted are four doctors, a nurse, and a pharmacist. As the beginning of the conflict,a staggering 46 healthcare workers have been killed in El Fasher,including the Director of Primary Health Care in the State Ministry of Health,and an additional 48 have sustained injuries. The whereabouts of personnel from three non-governmental organizations operating in the area remain unknown, raising serious concerns for their safety.
Humanitarian Crisis Reaches Critical Levels
Over 260,000 people are currently trapped in El Fasher, desperately lacking access to basic necessities. Approximately 28,000 residents have been forced to flee in recent days, seeking refuge in rural areas of El Fasher and the town of Tawila. Another 100,000 are expected to join the displaced population in Tawila, adding to the 575,000 already sheltering there and in surrounding regions.
The majority of those displaced are women and children,facing acute shortages of shelter,protection,food,clean water,and healthcare. According to the United Nations,Sudan is facing one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, with millions in need of assistance.
Cholera Outbreak Compounds the Suffering
Compounding the crisis, a cholera outbreak is surging through El Fasher due to the lack of access to safe water. This year alone, 272 suspected cases of cholera have been reported, leading to 32 deaths, a case fatality rate of nearly 12%. Across the wider Darfur region, 18,468 cases and 662 deaths have been recorded in 40 localities.
Aid Access Severely Restricted
El Fasher has been cut off from humanitarian aid since February 2025, exacerbating malnutrition rates, particularly among children and pregnant women. This weakens their immune systems, increasing their vulnerability to cholera, malaria, and other infectious diseases. Families have depleted their food reserves and lost access to markets, intensifying the suffering.
Despite critically importent challenges, the WHO is working to maintain vital health services, prioritizing care for those displaced by the ongoing insecurity. Twenty metric tons of essential medicines and emergency supplies, including cholera treatment and severe acute malnutrition management kits, are being transported from Nyala to Tawila. Additional supplies, delivered to partners in Abeche, Chad, are being expedited to Tawila and other affected areas.
WHO teams are also coordinating with health partners in Korma to stabilize critical patients and facilitate referrals to Tawila. Rapid response teams are being prepared for deployment in Tawila and nearby areas,ready to address the urgent health needs of the newly arrived displaced population. aid convoys are on standby,awaiting safe passage to deliver food,medicines,and life-saving supplies to el Fasher.
Call for Immediate Action
The WHO is urgently calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in El Fasher and throughout Sudan, emphasizing the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and healthcare facilities. Safe, rapid, and unrestricted humanitarian access is crucial to delivering life-saving aid to those in desperate need.
understanding the Conflict in Darfur
The current crisis in Darfur is rooted in decades of political instability, economic marginalization, and ethnic tensions. the ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023, pits the Sudanese army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Council on Foreign Relations provides in-depth analysis of the conflict’s origins and dynamics.This latest escalation threatens to undo years of fragile progress in the region.
| Indicator | October 2025 (El Fasher) | National Average (Sudan) |
|---|---|---|
| Displaced Population | 260,000+ | 6.8 million+ |
| Cholera Case Fatality Rate | 12% | 3.8% |
| healthcare Workers Killed | 46 | Data Unavailable* |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the current situation in El Fasher?
El Fasher is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis due to escalating violence,a siege-like situation,and a rapidly spreading cholera outbreak.
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Why is the hospital attack so significant?
The attack on the Saudi Maternity Hospital represents a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law and has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of vulnerable individuals.
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What aid is being provided to the region?
the WHO and other humanitarian organizations are working to provide essential medicines, supplies, and medical care, but access remains severely restricted.
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What is causing the cholera outbreak?
The cholera outbreak is linked to the lack of access to safe water and sanitation, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and displacement.
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what can be done to help the people of El Fasher?
An immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and unhindered humanitarian access are critical to alleviating the suffering of the people of El fasher.
What are your thoughts on the international response to this crisis? Share your comments below and help spread awareness!
What international laws are being violated by the intentional targeting of patients and healthcare workers in El Fasher?
WHO Condemns Killings of Patients and Civilians in el Fasher amid Escalating Sudanese Violence
The Crisis in El Fasher: A Deepening Humanitarian Catastrophe
The World Health institution (WHO) has issued a strong condemnation following reports of the deliberate killings of patients, health workers, and civilians in El Fasher, North Darfur, sudan. This condemnation arrives amidst a significant escalation of violence in the region, fueled by the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The situation represents a critical breakdown in the protection of civilians and healthcare facilities, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The escalating conflict in Sudan, especially in Darfur, is creating a complex emergency with far-reaching consequences.
Recent Attacks and Reported Casualties
Recent reports detail horrific incidents within and around El Fasher’s main hospital.These include:
* Targeted Killings: accounts suggest patients were killed in their beds, and civilians seeking refuge in healthcare facilities were deliberately targeted.
* Attacks on Healthcare Workers: Medical personnel have been directly threatened, injured, and killed, severely impacting the already strained healthcare system.
* Hospital Occupation: Multiple reports indicate the occupation of hospitals by armed groups, disrupting medical services and endangering patients and staff.
* Civilian Deaths: A significant number of civilian deaths have been reported due to indiscriminate shelling and gunfire in residential areas.
The exact number of casualties remains arduous to verify due to the ongoing violence and limited access for humanitarian organizations. However, sources indicate a rapidly increasing death toll and a growing number of injuries. The violence is hindering access to essential medical care, leading to preventable deaths.
The Impact on Healthcare Infrastructure
The attacks on healthcare facilities in El Fasher are devastating. The deliberate targeting of hospitals and clinics constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
* Functional Hospitals Reduced: The number of fully functional hospitals in el Fasher has drastically decreased, leaving the population with limited access to life-saving medical services.
* Medical Supply Shortages: The conflict has disrupted supply chains, leading to critical shortages of essential medicines, medical equipment, and supplies. This includes items needed for trauma care, maternal health, and disease control.
* Health Worker exodus: many healthcare workers have been forced to flee the area due to the insecurity,further exacerbating the shortage of medical personnel.
* Increased Risk of Disease Outbreaks: The breakdown of sanitation systems and the displacement of populations increase the risk of outbreaks of preventable diseases like cholera, measles, and malaria. Sudan faces a growing public health emergency.
WHO’s Response and Calls for Action
The WHO has strongly condemned the attacks and is working with partners to provide emergency medical assistance to those affected. Key actions include:
* Emergency Medical Supplies: Dispatching emergency medical supplies to El Fasher, including trauma kits, essential medicines, and intravenous fluids.
* Supporting Local Health Authorities: Providing technical support and training to local health authorities to help them cope with the increased demand for medical services.
* Advocacy for Protection of Healthcare: Advocating for the protection of healthcare workers, facilities, and patients, and calling on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law.
* Monitoring the Situation: Continuously monitoring the situation and assessing the evolving needs of the population.
* Collaboration with Humanitarian Partners: working closely with other UN agencies, NGOs, and local organizations to coordinate the humanitarian response.
The WHO is urgently calling for:
* An immediate cessation of hostilities.
* Unimpeded humanitarian access to El fasher and other affected areas.
* Respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of healthcare facilities and personnel.
* Increased funding for the humanitarian response in Sudan.
The Broader Context: sudan’s Ongoing Conflict
The current violence in El Fasher is part of a larger conflict that erupted in Sudan in April 2023. The conflict stems from a power struggle between the SAF,led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan,and the RSF,led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).
* Darfur as a Flashpoint: The Darfur region, with its history of conflict and ethnic tensions, has become a major flashpoint in the current crisis.
* Displacement Crisis: the conflict has triggered a massive displacement crisis, with millions of people forced to flee their homes. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are facing dire conditions in overcrowded camps.
* Food Insecurity: The conflict has disrupted agricultural production and trade, leading to widespread food insecurity. millions of Sudanese are at risk of starvation.
* Human Rights Violations: Numerous reports of human rights violations, including sexual violence, arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial killings, have emerged from across Sudan.
The Role of International Law and Accountability
The deliberate targeting of civilians and healthcare facilities constitutes war crimes under international humanitarian law.
* Geneva Conventions: The Fourth geneva Convention specifically protects
