Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières or MSF in French) has said it is suspending its work in a famine-stricken camp for displaced people in Sudan’s North Darfur region, as an increase in violent attacks has made it too dangerous to operate.
In a statement, the medical charity said fighting in and around Zamzam camp near the town of el-Fasher had made it “impossible … to continue providing medical assistance”.
“Despite widespread starvation and immense humanitarian needs, we have no choice but to take the decision to suspend all our activities in the camp, including the MSF field hospital,” the group said.
MSF was one of the few humanitarian groups still working in the camp, which houses about half a million people displaced by Sudan’s devastating 22-month civil war.
Health workers at the organization’s field hospital in Zamzam had helped treat people wounded in attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces this month, as well as provided care to thousands of malnourished children.
“Halting our project in the midst of a worsening disaster in Zamzam is a heartbreaking decision,” said Yahya Kalilah, MSF’s Sudan country director.
“The sheer proximity of the violence, great difficulties in sending supplies, the impossibility to send experienced staff for adequate support, and uncertainty regarding routes out of the camp for our colleagues and civilians leave us with little choice.”
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