2023-06-23 20:43:34
The authorities have repeatedly obstructed the movement of humanitarian and medical personnel and supplies between and within Sudanese states, deplores Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
While the talks organized in Saudi Arabia between belligerents in the Sudanese conflict have been “ adjourned “, for lack of results, the fighting between the army and the paramilitaries intensified on the ground. While it was already difficult for aid workers to carry out their mission, the intensity of the clashes further complicates matters.
In a statement released this Friday, the NGO Médecin Sans Frontières (MSF) states that ” violence and bureaucratic obstruction jeopardize medical care. The two warring sides in Sudan are obstructing desperately needed medical care, leaving people without treatment amid a humanitarian crisis ».
According to MSF, violence and acute health needs persist across Sudan, particularly in Khartoum and Darfur, as fighting continues between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces for a third month.
MSF’s medical and humanitarian teams work in 11 states in Sudan, but warring parties are hampering many attempts to expand life-saving activities, despite public pledges from both sides to facilitate humanitarian aid, she said.
MSF also deplores the fact that the authorities have repeatedly obstructed the movement of humanitarian and medical personnel and supplies between and within Sudanese states.
« Requests for MSF travel authorizations have been delayed, rejected, canceled or not respected, without clear justification. When permits were issued, MSF staff and supplies were sometimes turned away by security staff at checkpoints, with staff harassed, threatened or detained “, she criticizes.
Authorities in some locations indicated that armed escorts would be required for supplies, compromising the independence and neutrality of humanitarian organizations and personnel and reducing the ability to move freely.
Khartoum has also issued, according to MSF, far fewer visas than it needs to bring in enough staff, despite repeated requests and requests. Although some visas have been issued, the process is inconsistent and unreliable, he points out.
While it is not clear whether these actions are a deliberate attempt to restrict humanitarian aid, the result for the population is the same: reduced access to health care at a time when it is most urgent, reports the French organization.
According to the latter, the work of medical and humanitarian organizations is also physically disrupted by the two warring parties. MSF supplies were confiscated, while armed groups looted MSF facilities, beat and threatened staff, especially Sudanese MSF staff.
Since the start of the conflict, MSF teams in Sudan have responded to urgent medical needs and continue to do so whenever possible. In five weeks, MSF surgical teams working at Bashair University Hospital in southern Khartoum treated 1,169 patients, more than 900 of whom had suffered severe trauma.
ARD/ac/APA
1687577686
#Sudan #bureaucratic #obstruction #jeopardizes #medical #care #MSF #APAnews