Doctors Without Borders’ recent decision to suspend its operations in Sudan’s Zamzam camp has sent shockwaves through the humanitarian community. The camp, home to nearly 500,000 displaced individuals, is now left without critical medical aid as violence intensifies between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The withdrawal of medical support from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) raises grave concerns about the deteriorating conditions in an already famine-stricken region.
A Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Zamzam camp, located in North Darfur, has long been a sanctuary for displaced families fleeing Sudan’s brutal civil war. However, with the recent surge in violence, MSF has declared it “impossible” to continue providing lifesaving assistance. The escalation of attacks in and around the camp has compromised the safety of both patients and medical personnel, forcing MSF to halt operations, including services at its field hospital.
Why Did MSF Pull Out?
According to Yahya Kalilah, MSF’s head of mission in Sudan, the decision was not made lightly. “Halting our project in the midst of a worsening disaster in Zamzam is a heartbreaking decision,” Kalilah stated. He cited several key reasons for the withdrawal:
- Proximity to Violence: The fighting between the military and RSF has moved dangerously close to the medical facilities, putting staff and patients at immediate risk.
- Severe Supply Chain Disruptions: The intensification of hostilities has made it nearly impossible to transport medical supplies and essential equipment into the camp.
- Staffing Challenges: The organization has faced insurmountable difficulties in deploying experienced personnel due to the worsening security situation.
- Lack of Safe Evacuation Routes: With no secure passage available, patients in critical condition have been left stranded without access to proper treatment.
A War-Torn Nation on the Brink
Sudan has been in turmoil since April 2023, when a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF erupted into full-scale war. The conflict has led to the deaths of more than 24,000 people and displaced over 14 million, plunging parts of the country into famine.
The latest surge of violence in Zamzam, particularly around February 11-12, saw the MSF field hospital overwhelmed with 130 wounded patients, many suffering from gunshot and shrapnel injuries. However, due to its original focus on malnutrition treatment, the facility lacked the capacity to perform trauma surgery, leading to dire consequences.
A Medical Catastrophe in the Making
MSF confirmed that at least 11 patients, including five children, died due to inadequate treatment and the inability to transfer them to El Fasher, the regional capital. The crisis is further exacerbated by the breakdown of essential services:
- Food and Water Shortages: Ongoing clashes have severely impacted access to food and clean drinking water. The central market in Zamzam has been looted and burned, pushing the camp’s residents deeper into crisis.
- Unrelenting Violence Against Civilians: Displaced families arriving from areas such as Abu Zerega, Shagra, and Saluma report horrifying accounts of mass killings, sexual violence, looting, and beatings.
- Attacks on Ambulances: Even medical evacuations have been targeted. “In January and December, two of our ambulances carrying patients from the camp to El Fasher were shot at,” Kalilah revealed. “Now it’s even more dangerous, leaving many patients—some needing trauma surgery or emergency caesarean sections—trapped in Zamzam.”
What Happens Next?
The suspension of MSF’s operations leaves an enormous void in humanitarian aid for the region. With Sudan’s fragile state worsening and international attention divided, the future of Zamzam’s residents remains uncertain. If the violence continues unchecked, Sudan risks becoming one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the 21st century.
The question now is: Will the international community step up before it’s too late?