Doctors Without Borders halts Sudan operations amid escalating violence in Zamzam
Fadasi Camp Wad Madani - Al Jazirah state MSF Creator: Fais Abubakr | Credit: Fais Abubakr
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has ceased operations in Sudan’s famine-stricken Zamzam camp, citing escalating violence between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Darfur.
The organization stated that the fighting has made it “impossible” to provide life-saving humanitarian aid, forcing the suspension of all medical activities, including operations at its field hospital.
“Halting our project in the midst of a worsening disaster in Zamzam is a heartbreaking decision,” said Yahya Kalilah, MSF’s head of mission in Sudan. He emphasized that the proximity to violence, supply chain issues, and lack of safe evacuation routes left them with no other option.
The intensified fighting on February 11–12 resulted in 130 wounded patients, most suffering from gunshot and shrapnel wounds. Tragically, 11 patients died, including five children, due to the lack of trauma surgery facilities.
Zamzam, home to 500,000 displaced people, has seen an influx of families fleeing violence from Abu Zerega, Shagra, and Saluma. MSF reported widespread killings, sexual violence, looting, and beatings in the El Fasher locality.
Additionally, the central market has been looted and burned, worsening food and water shortages.
Kalilah also revealed that MSF ambulances transporting critical patients were shot at in December and January, leaving many, including pregnant women and trauma victims, trapped in the camp.
