The facility, supported by MSF, has been a lifeline for thousands of wounded civilians caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict.
The surgical ward of the hospital was directly hit on Sunday, August 11, resulting in the death of a healthcare worker and injuries to five others. The maternity unit also sustained damage. This is the eleventh time a hospital in El Fasher has been struck since the fighting escalated in May.
The attack comes as the city faces intensified bombardment, with over 15 people killed and 130 injured in just the past week. The hospital has been overwhelmed by the influx of wounded patients, with over 100 arriving on Saturday alone.
“The situation in El Fasher is catastrophic,” said Michel Olivier Lacharité, head of MSF’s emergency operations. “Civilians are trapped in a living nightmare, with nowhere safe to go and no adequate medical care.”
MSF is warning that the closure of the hospital would be a humanitarian disaster. The organization is calling on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities, protect civilians and healthcare facilities, and allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid.
With the situation deteriorating rapidly, MSF is also preparing for a potential influx of wounded patients at its facility in Zamzam camp, located outside El Fasher. However, the camp is not equipped to handle a large number of wounded, as it is primarily designed to treat malnutrition and pediatric diseases.
ABJ/APA