“Atrocities are being committed in Sudan that the world does not want to talk about,” warns Doctors Without Borders

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It is estimated that dozens of thousands of people fled the city and many thousands remain trapped, which worsens the conditions of hunger, health and protection in one of the most serious scenarios of the Sudanese crisis.

The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (also known as “Hemedti”), are a paramilitary force that originated from the Janjaweed militias in Darfur.

While the SAFunder the leadership of Abdel Fattah al-Burhanleader of Sovereign Council of Sudan and transitional head of state, represent formal state power.

The war in Sudan began on April 15, 2023when open fighting broke out between the SAF and the RSF. The conflict arose after months of tensions between the leaders of both sides, which They had shared power after the military coup of 2021but whose rivalries over the integration of the RSF into the national army led to a large-scale armed conflict.

Since then, war has devastated this country of 50 million people: more than 15 million people have been displacedaccording to the UN; and around 25 million need urgent humanitarian aidincluding almost 14 million children.

Jose Sanchezmedical coordinator of the emergency team Doctors Without Borders (MSF)has worked with the organization since 2010 and is currently on his fourth mission in Darfurkey region to which it belongs The Fasher.

In dialogue with The CommerceSánchez says that MSF supports several hospitals in Sudanboth in RSF and government controlled areas. “Our commitment is to provide health care to the entire Sudanese population, regardless of which side of the conflict they are on”he remarks.

—How would you describe what is being seen in Sudan, taking into account that Doctors Without Borders has a hospital in Tawila, near El Fasher?

We are about 60 kilometers from The Fasherin the city of Tawila. We have supported the local hospital since October last year, when a large number of internally displaced people began to arrive fleeing the siege in The Fasher. In recent weeks we have seen an increase in the number of people arriving, especially after October 26, when the Rapid Support Force He took the city and many people were able to escape.

—In what conditions are these people arriving? What type of wounds do you treat?

They arrive in very precarious conditions, with alarming malnutrition statesboth in children and adults. It must be remembered that Al Fasher He was under siege for 17 months, with practically no food or supplies coming in. A had already been declared famine a year ago, and now we see the consequences.

We treat people wounded by gunshot wounds, fractures, injuries from beatings or torture, and many wounds that are infected or complicated because they did not receive timely medical attention. Our hospital in El Fasher had to close in October 2024, and there were almost no centers left operating. That’s why many people arrive with old wounds and serious infections.

—Do you have direct access to El Fasher?

No. There is no communication with the city. What we know is from the testimonies of those who come to Tawila. Many say that They witnessed torture, executions, kidnappings and that some people are still being held while their families must pay ransoms. There are also numerous cases of sexual violence that occurred during the journey from Al Fasher to Tawila.

The needs for psychological support are enormous: almost everyone has lost family members or seen loved ones die. We care for many orphaned children whose parents were killed on the road or during the siege. They found many dead people on the road. The collective trauma is very deep.

—What does it mean, in medical and logistical terms, to care for this number of people in such an isolated area with limited resources?

Tawila has between 600,000 and 800,000 inhabitants. The hospital we support, the only one in the area, has about 200 beds. In recent weeks it has been completely full: The operating room operates 24 hours a day due to the number of injured people arriving. Many need immediate assistance.

We are strengthening the surgical team, but we face enormous limitations in obtaining medicines and materials, in addition to administrative blockages. We do what we can with the available resources, but humanitarian aid is insufficient.

According to UN estimates, Sudan needs funds to assist more than 12 million internally displaced people and 4 million who are outside the country. However, barely 30% of what is necessary to respond to this crisis has been covered.

—How are you managing the flow of medical supplies, fuel or food in Tawila?

The siege of Al Fasher lasted 17 months. Now the Rapid Support Force controls the city and the surrounding area. Tawila is considered a relatively safe area because there are neutral armed groups, so many people seek refuge here.

From the border with Chad it takes three or four days by road to reach Tawila. There is no connection with the other part of Sudan, controlled by the Armed Forces, which complicates the transportation of medical supplies. Roads are precarious, airspace is limited, and supplies must travel by land with enormous difficulties.

— Have you faced incidents or threats that put health personnel at risk?

In these two years we have suffered many incidents in hospitals and with our medical staff. One of the big concerns in Sudan is that many attacks have been reported. In Tawila, for now, work continues without major incidents because it is a relatively safe area and does not directly participate in the fighting, unlike Al Fasher or other regions of the country where the conflict is still active.

—How does it emotionally impact working in this context? What motivates them to stay?

It is very hard to see the situation in which the population lives: without drinking water, without food, without shelter or sanitation, or a place to sleep. Everything is precarious. But someone has to do something.

People are totally dependent on international aid. Today only one and a half liters of water are provided per person per day, when the minimum standard is 15 liters. United Nations food distributions are not enough for everyone. If humanitarian organizations were not there, the situation of the population would be much worse.

— From your perspective, what should the world know about what is happening in Sudan?

From Doctors Without Borders we ask all parties, especially the Rapid Support Force and its allies, to respect the civilian population and allow people to reach safe areas.

There are thousands of civilians still held in Al Fasher. Furthermore, we call on countries with influence – the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt – to use their diplomatic power and help stop this massacre, because many people are being killed. Atrocities are being committed in Sudan: executions, torture, sexual violence that is not talked about much outside the country, we want it to be known so that we can try to solve the problem. It is a tragedy that goes almost unnoticed outside the country.