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Updated: 24 August 2023
On 15 April 2023, fighting broke out between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces across most of Sudan. In just over three months of intense fighting, more than 3 million people have been forced to leave their homes to save themselves and their families from conflict. More than 2.1 million have been displaced by conflict, seeking refuge within Sudan. 
MSF works in 10 states in Sudan - Khartoum, Al-Jazeera, West Darfur, North Darfur, Central Darfur, South Darfur, Al-Gedaref, Blue Nile, White Nile and River Nile. Our teams provide a range of healthcare services like trauma care for war wounded, maternal and paediatric care and treatment for malnutrition. We also help healthcare facilities by supporting staff, medicines and other vital supplies to healthcare facilities. In the east and south of Sudan, MSF supports displaced people by providing healthcare, vaccinations and water and sanitation services.
Large numbers of people injured by violence
Thousands of people have been killed or injured during the heavy violence, particularly in Khartoum and Darfur. MSF teams are seeing large numbers of war-wounded patients with people injured by explosions and bullets.
MSF staff are treating people injured by the violence in three hospitals in Khartoum city and Omdurman. They are among the very few hospitals that remain open in the whole of the Khartoum city area. In two of these hospitals, as well as in El Fasher, North Darfur, MSF provides surgical care. We also support other facilities providing trauma care in Omdurman, northwest Khartoum and other parts of the country.
Hospitals on or near the frontlines can be overwhelmed when fighting is at its heaviest. The insecurity and consequent challenges in access can lead to shortages of staff and supplies and at times make it too difficult for patients and healthcare workers to reach facilities.
More and more people are displaced daily
There are millions of displaced people in Sudan and in neighbouring countries. The ongoing violence means more and more people are displaced each day. Sudan hosted large numbers of displaced people before the current conflict. Services were overstretched then, and the situation is even worse now.
Many camps are overcrowded, and the humanitarian health situation is dire. There are huge, unmet needs for healthcare, clean water and sanitation, shelter and food. These conditions increase the risk of disease outbreaks. In White Nile state, MSF is treating large numbers of patients with suspected measles complications, mostly children under 5. MSF and the Ministry of Health ran a limited vaccination campaign for children under two years but the situation remains alarming. MSF is also treating suspected measles patients in Blue Nile state and across the border in Renk in South Sudan. The rainy season has already started, and we are concerned about a rise in waterborne diseases, such as cholera, and the spread of malaria, which is endemic to the area.
As more people arrive, there is an urgent need to increase assistance and scale up vaccinations, nutritional support, shelter, food, access to clean water and sanitation in all areas where displaced people are seeking refuge.
Reduced access to healthcare for non-conflict-related conditions
The conflict has weakened an already fragile health system, affecting people’s ability to receive treatment for health conditions. For example, there are shortages of medicines for chronic diseases and too few functioning facilities for pregnant women to give birth.
Although MSF provides maternal health care, including emergency obstetric surgery, in two hospitals in Sudan – one in Khartoum and one in El Fasher, North Darfur – the needs of people across the country remain immense.
Across the country's borders, MSF teams are supporting people who fled the conflict in South Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic.
The needs are immense and we need your help. Your generosity will help our teams provide lifesaving medical support in Sudan and neighbouring countries.
Dr Ahmed Abd-elrahman is a Sudanese doctor who has worked with MSF for more than 17 years, including assignments in Somalia, Pakistan, Libya. He is currently Director of Operations at MSF Brussels and is directly supporting MSF teams in Sudan.
Since Saturday 15th April, intense fighting has been taking place between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) , leaving many trapped and unable to access healthcare.
Updated: 24 August 2023
On 15 April 2023, fighting broke out between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces across most of Sudan. In just over three months of intense fighting, more than 3 million people have been forced to leave their homes to save themselves and their families from conflict. More than 2.1 million have been displaced by conflict, seeking refuge within Sudan.
MSF works in 10 states in Sudan - Khartoum, Al-Jazeera, West Darfur, North Darfur, Central Darfur, South Darfur, Al-Gedaref, Blue Nile, White Nile and River Nile. Our teams provide a range of healthcare services like trauma care for war wounded, maternal and paediatric care and treatment for malnutrition. We also help healthcare facilities by supporting staff, medicines and other vital supplies to healthcare facilities. In the east and south of Sudan, MSF supports displaced people by providing healthcare, vaccinations and water and sanitation services.
Large numbers of people injured by violence
Thousands of people have been killed or injured during the heavy violence, particularly in Khartoum and Darfur. MSF teams are seeing large numbers of war-wounded patients with people injured by explosions and bullets.
MSF staff are treating people injured by the violence in three hospitals in Khartoum city and Omdurman. They are among the very few hospitals that remain open in the whole of the Khartoum city area. In two of these hospitals, as well as in El Fasher, North Darfur, MSF provides surgical care. We also support other facilities providing trauma care in Omdurman, northwest Khartoum and other parts of the country.
Hospitals on or near the frontlines can be overwhelmed when fighting is at its heaviest. The insecurity and consequent challenges in access can lead to shortages of staff and supplies and at times make it too difficult for patients and healthcare workers to reach facilities.
More and more people are displaced daily
There are millions of displaced people in Sudan and in neighbouring countries. The ongoing violence means more and more people are displaced each day. Sudan hosted large numbers of displaced people before the current conflict. Services were overstretched then, and the situation is even worse now.
Many camps are overcrowded, and the humanitarian health situation is dire. There are huge, unmet needs for healthcare, clean water and sanitation, shelter and food. These conditions increase the risk of disease outbreaks. In White Nile state, MSF is treating large numbers of patients with suspected measles complications, mostly children under 5. MSF and the Ministry of Health ran a limited vaccination campaign for children under two years but the situation remains alarming. MSF is also treating suspected measles patients in Blue Nile state and across the border in Renk in South Sudan. The rainy season has already started, and we are concerned about a rise in waterborne diseases, such as cholera, and the spread of malaria, which is endemic to the area.
As more people arrive, there is an urgent need to increase assistance and scale up vaccinations, nutritional support, shelter, food, access to clean water and sanitation in all areas where displaced people are seeking refuge.
Reduced access to healthcare for non-conflict-related conditions
The conflict has weakened an already fragile health system, affecting people’s ability to receive treatment for health conditions. For example, there are shortages of medicines for chronic diseases and too few functioning facilities for pregnant women to give birth.
Although MSF provides maternal health care, including emergency obstetric surgery, in two hospitals in Sudan – one in Khartoum and one in El Fasher, North Darfur – the needs of people across the country remain immense.
Across the country's borders, MSF teams are supporting people who fled the conflict in South Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic.
The needs are immense and we need your help. Your generosity will help our teams provide lifesaving medical support in Sudan and neighbouring countries.
