On January 10, tragedy struck as an MSF ambulance came under fire in El Fasher, North Darfur. The ambulance was transporting a female patient in labor in need of emergency surgery from MSF’s field hospital in Zamzam camp to Saudi Hospital in El Fasher, the only remaining public hospital with surgical capabilities in the area.
The ambulance, clearly marked with the MSF logo and flag, was carrying the patient, her caretakers, MSF drivers, and medical staff. Tragically, one of the caretakers was fatally injured in the attack. Despite the harrowing ordeal, the crew managed to reach Saudi Hospital, where the caretaker sadly passed away. This incident marks the second shooting targeting an MSF ambulance in less than a month in El Fasher.
Michel Olivier Lacharité, MSF’s head of emergency operations, expressed shock and horror at the attack, emphasizing the importance of supporting those affected and engaging with armed actors in the area to ensure the safety of patients, medical staff, ambulances, and health facilities.
This is not the first time MSF has faced violence in El Fasher. Just weeks prior, on December 27, an MSF ambulance was hit by bullets during a similar referral mission, fortunately resulting in no injuries.
The escalation of fighting between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, along with a coalition of armed groups, has created a volatile and dangerous environment in the region since May 2024. MSF’s field hospital in Zamzam camp has been subjected to shelling by the RSF, leading to a suspension of certain medical services to prioritize critical cases requiring hospital care. Despite the challenges, MSF has treated 51 people injured by the shelling in Zamzam since December.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
