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Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed its deep shock and dismay at reports of the horrific killing of over 460 patients and their companions at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, western Sudan, following attacks on and abductions of healthcare workers.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement that 185 attacks on healthcare facilities in Sudan have resulted in the deaths of 1,204 people and injuries to 416 others, including healthcare workers and patients, since the start of the conflict in April 2023.
He noted that 49 of these attacks occurred this year, resulting in 966 deaths. He stressed the urgent need for an immediate and unconditional cessation of all attacks on healthcare facilities and the protection of all patients, healthcare workers, and healthcare facilities under international humanitarian law.
In a related development, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned that an estimated 130,000 children in El Fasher are at risk of grave human rights violations, amid reports of abduction, killing, maiming, and violence. She stressed that "no child is safe" in the city.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Russell expressed her concern over the images and reports coming from El Fasher, adding that children, already trapped for over 500 days, are now even more besieged amidst ongoing bombardment, intense fighting, and severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.
The head of the UN agency also noted reports of the arrest or killing of humanitarian workers, reiterating her call for an immediate ceasefire, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, protection for civilians, especially children, and a safe passage for families to leave, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
She emphasized the need to hold those responsible for the violations accountable.
