UN reports attacks on health workers in Sudan, approves $20 million CERF allocation as WFP staff expelled

The United Nations spokesperson said the organization "condemned the continued violations of international humanitarian law" in Sudan and described fresh attacks on a maternity hospital in Al-Fashir that included abductions of health workers.

The spokesperson summarized verified incidents: "Prior to this latest attack, our colleagues at WHO verified 185 attacks on health care in Sudan with 1,204 deaths and 416 injuries of health workers and patients since the start of the conflict in April 2023," noting that 49 of those attacks occurred this year alone. He added that local sources report thousands—including elderly people, those with disabilities and the wounded—are stranded and unable to flee due to insecurity and lack of transport.

The UN said the International Organization for Migration reported more than 36,000 people fled between Sunday and the previous day, with most seeking refuge on the outskirts of Al-Fashir and in Kebkabie, Melit and Tawela. The spokesperson listed urgent needs in those localities as "shelter, food, water, health care, and protection."

To scale up relief, the UN announced an emergency allocation of $20,000,000 from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). "This will support the scaling up of emergency support in Tawela and other locations in Darfur and the Kordofan region," the spokesperson said, and noted this allocation adds to $27,000,000 already allocated from CERF for Sudan earlier in the year.

The spokesperson also described heavy tolls on humanitarian personnel. He said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported five Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers were killed and three went missing while distributing food in the locality of Bara. "Twenty-one Red Crescent staff and volunteers have been killed since the conflict began," he said.

On operational limitations, the spokesperson reiterated that "civilians, humanitarian workers, medical personnel must always be protected" and called on parties to "guarantee the safe passage for civilians and aid workers, and ensure sustained humanitarian access wherever it is needed."

Separately, the spokesperson reported that two World Food Programme officials—the country director and the emergency director—were designated persona non grata by Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and were asked to leave the country within 72 hours "without any official explanation." He said WFP and senior UN officials are seeking clarification and engaging with authorities to protest the action.

The spokesperson concluded by warning that humanitarian needs in Sudan are unprecedented, saying more than 24,000,000 people face acute food insecurity and that the UN and its partners remain committed to ensuring access to vital assistance.