"Another appalling attack" on a hospital in Sudan has seen more than 40 people killed, many of them children and medics, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said. "We cannot say this louder,"wrote Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Xon Tuesday, "attacks on health must stop everywhere!" Al-Mujlad Hospital was struck on Saturday, and is located in West Kordofan state, close to one of the frontlines where Sudan's warring parties are fighting in the conflict that is now in its third year. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) blames its opponents the Sudanese army for attacking the hospital, as do two prominent civil society groups, but the army itself has yet to comment on the allegation. Since Sudan's civil war began in April 2023, the scale of suffering is so vast that the UN has labelled it the world's worst humanitarian crisis. In addition to the murder of many thousands of civilians,allegations of genocide, and the displacement of millions more, both sides in this conflict have been accused of carrying out war crimes on medical facilities and staff,according to evidence seen by BBC News Arabic. Al-Mujlad Hospital, in the town of Muglad, was "the only functioning healthcare facility in the area",according to the Sudan Doctors Network. Of the more than 40 people killed, six of them were children and five were health workers,the WHO's office in Sudan said on Sunday. Dozens of other people were injured too, it added. Crucially, the hospital ran a dialysis unit and focused on the care of civilians as opposed to soldiers,according to the Emergency Lawyers group, which documents abuses by both the RSF and the army. Both the Sudan Doctors Network and the Emergency Lawyers group say the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) were to blame for the attack on Saturday. But the doctors' body says the reason for the attack was that the army was trying to kill RSF fighters "stationed inside" al-Mujlad Hospital. The RSF has not commented on that claim, nor has the army. On Monday, the head of the UN children's agency, Unicef, warned of a "worsening crisis" for children caused by Sudan's civil war and said the aid response lacked two-thirds of the funding needed. Visiting refugees in neighbouring Chad, Catherine Russell said "hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable children are bearing the brunt of both the war in Sudan and a lack of essential services for those who have fled to Chad". Many children are "malnourished, out of school, and at serious risk of exploitation and disease", she added. Among the most harrowing accounts to come out of Sudan's war isthe evidence that armed men are raping and sexually assaulting children as young as one. Some children have tried to end their own lives as a result. Go toBBCAfrica.comfor more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter@BBCAfrica, on Facebook atBBC Africaor on Instagram atbbcafrica
Children killed in 'appalling' Sudan hospital attack, says WHO chief
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"WHO Reports Over 40 Killed in Hospital Attack Amid Sudan Conflict"
Bbc News
7.6
TruthLens AI Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) has condemned a recent attack on Al-Mujlad Hospital in Sudan, which resulted in the deaths of over 40 individuals, including six children and five medical personnel. This incident, described as 'appalling' by WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, took place in West Kordofan state amid ongoing violence between Sudan's warring factions, specifically the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has accused the Sudanese army of being responsible for the assault on the hospital, which is the only functioning medical facility in the area and has been crucial for civilian healthcare, including the operation of a dialysis unit. Reports indicate that the conflict has escalated significantly since it began in April 2023, leading to what the United Nations has termed the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with widespread allegations of war crimes and the targeting of medical facilities by both sides involved in the conflict.
In light of the escalating violence and humanitarian needs, UNICEF has raised alarms about the deteriorating situation for children in Sudan. The agency's head, Catherine Russell, highlighted the severe impact of the civil war on vulnerable children, many of whom are facing malnutrition, lack of education, and increased risk of exploitation and disease. The aid response to the crisis is critically underfunded, with UNICEF reporting a shortfall of two-thirds of the necessary funding to provide adequate support. Disturbing accounts of violence against children, including sexual assault and self-harm, have emerged, painting a grim picture of the crisis. As the conflict continues with no end in sight, the plight of children and the broader civilian population remains a pressing concern for humanitarian organizations and international observers alike.
TruthLens AI Analysis
You need to be a member to generate the AI analysis for this article.
Log In to Generate AnalysisNot a member yet? Register for free.