Sudan: Vital surgical supplies arrive at Khartoum hospitals

2023-05-25 15:00:00

“Barely 20% of Khartoum’s health facilities are still functioning: a true collapse of the system just when it is most needed. So it was a matter of life and death to get these essential medical supplies to the few hospitals that are functioning today.” explains Alfonso Verdú Pérez, head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan. “Hospitals also urgently need water, electricity and a safe environment for patients and staff. We call on all parties to respect the work of healthcare workers, on whom many lives depend.”

So far, according to the Sudanese health authorities, more than 700 people have been killed and more than 5,000 injured since the fighting began on April 15. On the other hand, there has been serious damage to essential civil infrastructure works, such as health centers and water and electricity infrastructure, which have left a capital city with five million inhabitants without access to basic services. At the same time, there continue to be alarming reports of attacks against members of health personnel, health facilities and ambulances.

In addition to delivering surgical supplies in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the ICRC is cooperating closely with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, whose volunteers assist in the recovery and identification of human remains. The ICRC also maintains a dialogue with all parties on the ground to facilitate the medical evaluation of the wounded and to continue to remind them of their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Media Contacts:

Alyona Synenko, ICRC Nairobi, tel: [phone], [email protected]