Today, Tuesday, the World Health Organization announced that the death toll from clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces has risen to 459 people, and another 4,075 people were injured.
“As a result of the clashes, 459 people died and 4,075 were injured, and I think the real number is much higher,” said Nima Saeed Abed, the organization’s spokesman in Sudan.
Abed believed there was a “major biohazard” after one of the warring parties in Sudan took control of the lab.
The World Health Organization also expressed concern about the ongoing fighting in Sudan, adding that there are real risks of epidemics spreading in Sudan, especially cholera.
She stressed that “14 health facilities in Sudan have been directly attacked,” adding, “We are working with our partners in Sudan to reopen Khartoum’s hospitals.”
For its part, a spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirmed today that heavy fighting has forced the Office to reduce some of its activities in parts of Sudan.
At least five aid workers have been killed in Sudan since fighting broke out on April 15, and the United Nations International Organization for Migration and the World Food Program have suspended operations after some of their staff were killed.
“In areas where heavy fighting is hindering our humanitarian operations, we have had to reduce our presence,” added Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the Office of Humanitarian Affairs.
“But we are determined to continue helping the people of Sudan,” he added. He said the office’s leadership was still in Sudan to oversee operations, explaining that they would be directing humanitarian operations from Port Sudan.
In the same statement, a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross said that some families in Khartoum were locked up in their homes for eight days. He urged other countries to continue to put pressure on Sudan to achieve a “long-term solution” after the evacuation of foreigners.
For its part, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today expressed concern that the fighting in Sudan between the army and the Rapid Support Forces will lead to the flight of up to 270,000 people towards Chad and South Sudan.
