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Sudan: MSF condemns looting of medical facilities, harassment of staff [1]
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Date: 2023-06
Warring parties must ensure the safety of medical personnel and health facilities, allow safe passage of ambulances and people seeking health care, and facilitate access and rapid and unimpeded movement for humanitarian workers, organizations, and supplies, said MSF. Although a nationwide ceasefire was announced between the warring parties on May 20, local ceasefires have not always been respected in the past.
These attacks are part of a wider trend of both warring parties disregarding civilian lives, infrastructure, and health facilities. As of May 22, the World Health Organization has documented 38 attacks on health care since the conflict began. Hospitals and health care workers are protected under international humanitarian law, but there are reports in Sudan of the occupation of hospitals by armed groups that can put patients, health care workers, and medical structures at risk.
These incidents come at a time when the conflict is having a dire impact on people in Sudan. People in Khartoum, Darfur, and other places where the fighting is most intense continue to suffer terribly amid ongoing violence that has resulted in gunshot wounds, sexual violence, stabbing, and explosions. Countrywide, people face shortages of food and drinking water—forcing people to be on the move to try to meet their basic needs. Access to humanitarian support and health care is vital, but the Sudanese health care system is already struggling with a lack of essential supplies.
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[1] Url:
https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/sudan-msf-condemns-looting-medical-facilities-harassment-staff
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