Khartoum, April 5 (IANS) At least 2,042 people have been killed and 785 injured in 214 attacks on health care facilities in Sudan since the conflict began nearly three years ago, two UN agencies have announced.
In a joint statement on Saturday (local time), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said 184 deaths and 295 injuries occurred in the first quarter of this year alone, expressing concern over the growing scale and frequency of such attacks in conflict-affected areas.
“These attacks further restrict access to health care at a time when it is needed most,” said WHO Representative to Sudan Shible Sahbani, who called for the protection of patients and health workers.
UNICEF Representative Sheldon Yett said attacks on hospitals “are a grave violation of children’s rights,” adding that they deprive children of critical services and protection during vulnerable moments, reports Xinhua news agency.
The agencies said attacks on health facilities, staff, and patients violate international humanitarian law and deepen an already severe humanitarian crisis. They called on all parties to respect and protect health care, ensure the safety of civilians and aid workers, and allow sustained access to essential services.
Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since mid-April 2023 has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, according to international organisations.
Meanwhile, earlier on Thursday, the UN reopened its headquarters in Khartoum, alongside the resumption of operations of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), paving the way for a gradual restoration of its activities after nearly three years of suspension following the outbreak of conflict in the country.
Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mohi El-Din Salem, UN officials and representatives of the Khartoum State government attended the reopening ceremony.
In a statement, the Sudanese minister said the reopening reflects the resumption of cooperation between the Khartoum State government and the UN, hailing the step as a “positive indicator” of renewed international partnerships and support for the country’s stabilisation efforts.
For his part, Associate Administrator of the UNDP Xu Haoliang said the return of UN agencies to Khartoum represents important support for Sudan in the current phase.
Xu said the UNDP is focusing on humanitarian response while strengthening the capacities of national institutions and local communities, contributing to recovery and reconstruction efforts.
The UN had previously relocated a large portion of its operations outside Khartoum, while maintaining some humanitarian activities through field offices in other states, amid significant challenges related to access and the deterioration of infrastructure and basic services.
Sudan is facing one of the largest humanitarian crises in the region. The ongoing war has displaced millions internally and externally, alongside a sharp decline in health and education services and surging food insecurity.
Earlier, the UN warned of growing humanitarian needs in Sudan as the war approached its third year.
According to the Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan for 2026, recently announced by the UN, about 33.7 million people in Sudan will require humanitarian assistance this year — an increase of 3.3 million compared to 2025.
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