What You Need to Know
Doctors Without Borders has withdrawn its staff from a hospital in Darfur following the fatal shooting of a paramedic. The organization has called on the Rapid Support Forces to ensure the safety of its personnel. This incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones, particularly in Sudan.
Africa. Doctors Without Borders announced the withdrawal of its staff from a hospital in Darfur following the shooting death of a paramedic, urging the Rapid Support Forces to ensure the safety of personnel there.
The organization stated that the victim, who worked for the Sudanese Ministry of Health, was killed outside Zalingei Hospital on November 18, in an incident that also injured four others.
The facility is located in Central Darfur, in an area controlled by the Rapid Support Forces, and is far from the front lines of the conflict with the Sudanese army.
Meanwhile, Maryam Laroussi, the emergency coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Darfur, said in a statement sent to journalists that “our teams cannot resume humanitarian activities until the Rapid Support Forces guarantee safe conditions to protect staff and patients.”
For its part, the Rapid Support Forces denied harming civilians and stated that anyone found guilty of violations would be held accountable.
It is worth noting that Doctors Without Borders operates an emergency room at the facility, conducts surgeries, provides neonatal care, and treats epidemics such as measles and cholera. In August, the organization temporarily suspended its activities at the same facility following a hand grenade explosion.
The conflict in Darfur has been ongoing since 2003, marked by violence and humanitarian crises. Various armed groups, including the Sudanese government and the Rapid Support Forces, have been involved in the conflict, leading to widespread displacement and suffering among civilians. Humanitarian organizations like Doctors Without Borders have been crucial in providing medical assistance, but their operations are often jeopardized by the volatile security situation.
In recent years, the situation in Darfur has remained precarious, with sporadic violence and attacks on aid workers. The withdrawal of organizations like Doctors Without Borders underscores the challenges faced in delivering aid,
