The growing conflict in Sudan is crippling the country’s healthcare system, according to the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Ghebreyesus highlighted the dire situation, noting that 14.7 million people are now in urgent need of life-saving healthcare.
“A lack of safe, unfettered access is preventing delivery of medicines and supplies and endangering civilians and health workers,” Ghebreyesus warned. He also expressed deep concern over the significant funding shortfall for humanitarian and health aid, revealing that less than half of the $178.6 million requested to assist 4.9 million people has been provided to WHO and its health partners.
The WHO chief urged the international community to increase support, stressing the need for immediate action to save lives in Sudan.
The conflict, which erupted in mid-April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has had catastrophic consequences. The United Nations reports that the violence has resulted in around 18,800 deaths and displaced nearly 10 million people. The fighting has also left millions on the brink of famine as food shortages become increasingly severe.
