459 Killed And 4,072 Injured During Armed Conflict In Sudan

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - A total of 459 people have died and 4,072 people have been injured as a result of the weeks-long armed conflict in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Joining the United Nations (UN) press conference via video, Sudan's WHO representative Dr. Nima Saeed Abid said, however, that figure may be far too low.

Regarding attacks on the health sector, Abid said that WHO had verified 14 attacks since the violence began, with eight deaths and two injuries. Hospitals in Sudan were also damaged.

"An attack on health care is a disgraceful act and must stop," he said as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, April 25.

Regarding the evacuation efforts, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Jens Laerke said people had been moved from Khartoum to Port Sudan.

"We're looking at ways to move them even further," Laerke said.

On Monday (24/4), a UN convoy to Port Sudan evacuated 700 people consisting of UN personnel, international NGOs, and foreign embassy staff.

"We remain committed to staying and serving, and we will maintain strong leadership in Sudan going forward," he said.

Fighting between the Sudanese army (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted on 15 April 2023 in Khartoum and its surroundings.

The deadly conflict was sparked by disagreements over the past few months between the SAF and RSF over military security reforms.

The reform envisions the full participation of the RSF in the military, which is one of the key issues in negotiations by international and regional parties for the transition to a democratic civilian government in Sudan.