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July 3, 2024 (El Fasher) – The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) said that one of its medical clinics in Sudan was attacked this week and several staff and volunteers of its member associations in the country were injured or killed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
IPPF is a global healthcare provider and leading advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. We are an organization of 150 member associations and partners, operating in more than 146 countries.
The health agency said in a statement on its website that its clinic in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, had been destroyed, meaning women and girls in the region have one less option for receiving life-saving sexual and reproductive health care.
Fighting has been ongoing in the area around El Fasher for more than a month, with Rapid Support Forces reportedly shelling military and civilian targets indiscriminately.
Several incidents were mentioned, one of which was the death of Mahasen Abdul Jabbar, a volunteer of the Sudanese Family Planning Association (SFPA).
He was shot dead at his clinic, while volunteer family medicine specialist Dr. Daifarah Mohammed died in the war
It was reported that a nurse was hit by shrapnel and was sent to the hospital in critical condition and no contact has been made with her.
The Rapid Assistance Forces also abducted patients, but their whereabouts are unknown.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that one of our clinics in Sudan has once again been attacked, leaving our staff and volunteers injured or even killed. Health facilities, and most importantly, their staff, must not become targets of war,” said Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, Deputy Director of IPPF.
He added: “The bombing and shelling have caused widespread harm to the civilian population, severely disrupting the sexual and reproductive health and putting the lives of 800,000 people in North Darfur, including women, children and people with disabilities, at risk.”
Attacks also took place in the Sudanese capital Khartoum and El Fasher between September 7 and 9, 2023, and medical facilities were destroyed.
Women and girls in Sudan are facing increasing levels of sexual and conflict-related violence, with health providers saying their staff are witnessing first-hand the impact of this heinous crime on the most vulnerable, including women, girls and other marginalized groups.
“We firmly condemn all acts of violence against civilians, especially health centres that are attacked while providing essential services to people in need. Such acts are an affront to humanity and the sanctity of medicine,” said Fadoua Bakhadda, Regional Director for the Arab World.
Previously, reports showed that rape victims and survivors had difficulty accessing contraceptives, abortion pills, and post-exposure antiviral drugs. They reportedly faced serious and life-threatening consequences, including loss of family support, housing and shelter, and increased risk of suicide. Survivors were afraid to seek medical treatment for fear of retaliation for rape and would be stigmatized.
(English stone)
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