The World Health Organization reported Friday that the conflict in Sudan has resulted in more than 400 fatalities and over 3,500 injuries.
“Four hundred and thirteen people have died and 3,551 people have been injured … that we know of,” WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told reporters at a press briefing in Geneva.
At least nine children were also among those killed, according to UNICEF, while more than 50 youngsters also sustained injuries.
Harris stated that 20 healthcare facilities had ceased operations and another 12 were in danger of doing so, citing statistics from the Sudanese health ministry.
This would affect “not only the people who have been injured during this terrible fighting, but the people who were needing treatment before”, she noted.
“It’s taking a devastating toll on the country’s children,” UNICEF spokesman James Elder told reporters.
“As long as fighting continues, children will continue to pay the price.
“The fighting means many families are trapped, with little or no access to electricity, terrified of running out of food, water and medicine.”
According to him, Sudan already has one of the highest rates of child malnutrition in the world, and an estimated 50,000 severely acutely malnourished children are currently unable to receive life-saving care.
“This is life-threatening,” he said.
The most critical cases are “being fed with tubes because that’s literally the only way they can be fed”, said Elder.
“When the bombing or shelling begins outside the hospital and where medical staff need to flee, then what?”
Due to power outages and fuel shortages, Elder also cautioned that the conflict was endangering the cold storage of more than $40 million worth of vaccinations and insulin.
“We need forces to immediately cease hostilities and for all parties to respect their international obligations to protect children from harm,” he said.
