Doctors Without Borders halts operations as violence escalates in Sudan's Zamzam camp

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) suspended operations in the famine-stricken Zamzam camp in North Darfur, Sudan, due to escalating violence between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces. This decision came after a significant increase in attacks and fighting in the area, which made it impossible for the organization to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance to the approximately 500,000 displaced individuals seeking refuge in the camp. The situation worsened dramatically around February 11-12, when fighting intensified, leading to a surge in casualties and pushing vulnerable populations into more desperate conditions. In the wake of this violence, MSF's field hospital received 130 patients, the majority suffering from gunshot and shrapnel wounds. Unfortunately, the facility was not equipped for trauma surgery as it was primarily set up to tackle malnutrition issues. Consequently, 11 patients died, including five children, because the medical team could not provide adequate treatment or transfer critical cases to hospitals in El Fasher, the regional capital. The impact on access to basic necessities such as food and water has also been severe, with reports indicating that the central market was looted and burned during clashes. Moreover, displaced families from surrounding areas like Abu Zerega, Shagra, and Saluma continue to arrive at Zamzam, sharing stories of violent atrocities including killings, sexual violence, and beatings that they encountered on their journey. These incidents have instilled further fear as ambulances transporting patients over previous months were shot at, raising concerns for the safety of medical assistance logistics and further trapping those in need of urgent medical attention. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in the deaths of more than 24,000 people and displaced over 14 million individuals across Sudan. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the challenges faced by aid organizations like MSF have escalated, with operations increasingly jeopardized by ongoing violence. The cessation of activities in Zamzam is a heartbreaking decision but underscores the dire conditions for both aid workers and the populations they aim to serve, complicating the already challenging landscape of humanitarian assistance in Sudan.