Doctors Without Borders Suspends Operations in Sudan's Famine-Stricken Camp

In a significant humanitarian setback, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has announced the suspension of its operations at the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur, where escalating violence has jeopardized the safety of over half a million displaced individuals. This decision comes amid a backdrop of intensifying conflict between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has culminated in increased assaults on health facilities and civilian areas.

The Zamzam camp has become a refuge for those fleeing violence since the onset of the ongoing conflict. Reports indicate that fighting surged dramatically following an RSF incursion on February 11, which has forced thousands of families to flee their homes. According to the International Organization for Migration, approximately 10,000 families have been displaced due to the recent clashes.

MSF's field hospital, which was primarily established to address malnutrition, has faced overwhelming challenges. The organization reported treating 139 patients with severe injuries, including shrapnel and gunshot wounds, in just the first three weeks of February. However, the volatility of the situation has hindered the organization's capacity to provide necessary trauma care.

MSF's leadership expressed deep concern over the dire humanitarian conditions that have led to this decision. The organization's head of mission highlighted the heartbreaking nature of halting operations during a worsening disaster. Tragically, several patients have succumbed to their injuries due to the inability to receive adequate medical treatment or be safely transported to facilities that can handle trauma cases.

Access to essential medical services has deteriorated significantly, with the nearest hospital in El-Fasher becoming increasingly perilous to reach. Previous attempts to transport patients have resulted in two ambulances being fired upon in January and December. This precarious situation has left many vulnerable individuals, including those requiring urgent surgical interventions, trapped within the camp.

The humanitarian crisis in Zamzam is emblematic of the broader catastrophe unfolding across Sudan, where conflict has triggered the largest displacement and hunger crisis globally. The United Nations estimates that around 1.7 million people are currently displaced in North Darfur alone, as violence has effectively isolated access to approximately 80% of hospitals in conflict-affected areas.

The situation in Zamzam has been further exacerbated by the declaration of famine in August, following 15 months of ongoing warfare. The famine has since extended to additional camps near El-Fasher, with predictions of further deterioration in the coming months as humanitarian access continues to be severely restricted.

As MSF ceases its operations in Zamzam, the organization has emphasized the urgent need for international attention and intervention to address the escalating humanitarian crisis. The plight of the displaced population, which has faced continuous violence, starvation, and a collapse of health services, underscores the critical need for a coordinated response to alleviate their suffering.