April 28, 2023—A major referral hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Sudan's West Darfur state, El Geneina Teaching Hospital, has been directly affected by fighting, and parts of the hospital were looted during a violent intrusion over the past two days, MSF said today in a statement denouncing the attack.
Widespread looting and destruction have been reported across the city of El Geneina, including burning of property and attacks at the central market, gathering sites, and camps where displaced people are living.
Sylvain Perron, MSF deputy operations manager for Sudan, gave the following statement today:
"It is utterly unacceptable to see the El Geneina Teaching Hospital and other facilities under attack, looted, and running out of staff and supplies. We are deeply concerned about the safety of health care staff and our teams in West Darfur. Many people are trapped in the midst of this deadly violence. They fear risking their safety and lives trying to reach the rare health facilities that are still functional and open.
"For years, MSF has been providing medical assistance to all communities in West Darfur, who have been frequently affected by violence and who otherwise have no access to health care.
"In El Geneina Teaching Hospital, MSF managed the pediatric and nutrition inpatient departments, infection prevention control measures, and water and sanitation services. Over the years we have witnessed a steady stream of patients coming not just from El Geneina city and the nearest camps for displaced families, but from all over West Darfur state."
