Sudan – A great international concern about the killing of 40 civilians in an attack on a hospital in West Kordofan

At the daily press conference, Dujarik said that, according to the World Health Organization, more than 40 civilians, including children and health workers, were killed, and dozens were wounded, and the hospital was seriously damaged.

He added: “We have always condemned all the attacks on health care facilities and their workers, especially in conflict areas, where access to the injured may be difficult if not impossible. The parties must respect the special protection granted to health care workers under international humanitarian law. The rules of war require the protection of the wounded and the patients, as well as medical workers in hospitals at all times.”.

He explained that the hospital’s attack comes at a time when about three quarters of health facilities in the areas most affected by the conflict, including in the Kordofan region, suffer from a weak or complete closure of operation. Meanwhile, health and humanitarian partners suffer from tremendous pressure and a lack of financing in their attempt to limit the spread of diseases, including measles and cholera.

Expand the scope of response to cholera control

Despite the challenges, a UN spokesman reported that the number of new cases suspected of cholera has declined significantly in recent weeks, as the period between 16 and 22 June witnessed the report of 207 new suspected cases, compared to more than 8400 cases between 19 and 25 May, according to the Sudanese Ministry of Health.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that it is working and partners of the United Nations in the health, water, sanitation and hygiene sectors to expand the scope of response. He explained that more than 3 million doses of oral cholera vaccine were delivered to Khartoum and North Kordofan, with vaccination campaigns already began. 3 million doses are expected to arrive soon.

The office said that so far, the partners have provided emergency water and sanitation services to 2.3 million people, while cleaning efforts have supported 1.3 million people.

But he warned that relief organizations are now facing a pre -stored supplies due to the early start of the disease, which was driven by attacks on infrastructure in addition to the interruption of energy and water sources.

The office stressed the urgent need for flexible financing to support the response and expand its scope, especially with fears of cholera again, starting from July and August with the return of the rainy season and the possibility of floods.