Escalating Violence in El Fasher, Sudan: Critical Situation for Health Care and Civilians

Strategic Insights -

El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, is witnessing escalating violence, siege conditions, and rising hunger and disease, killing civilians, including children, and collapsing an already-fragile health system. The Saudi Maternity Hospital, the only partially functioning hospital in El Fasher, was attacked for the fourth time in a month, killing one nurse and injuring three other health workers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 460 patients and their companions were reportedly shot and killed in the Saudi Maternity Hospital on 28 October.
  • Six health workers, including four doctors, a nurse, and a pharmacist, were abducted from the hospital on the same day.
  • Since the conflict began, 46 health workers have been killed in El Fasher, and another 48 injured.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) condemns these attacks on health care in the strongest terms and calls for the respect of the sanctity of health care as mandated under International Humanitarian Law.
  • Over 260 000 people remain trapped in El Fasher with almost no access to food, clean water, or medical care.
  • Escalating violence has forced about 28 000 people to flee El Fasher Town in recent days, 26 000 of them to rural areas of El Fasher and up to 2000 to Tawila.
  • Many of the displaced are women and unaccompanied children facing acute shortages of shelter, protection, food, water, and health care.
  • Cholera continues to spread rapidly in El Fasher as people lack access to safe water, with 272 suspected cases and 32 deaths reported this year alone.

Statistics:

  • 460 patients and their companions were reportedly shot and killed in the Saudi Maternity Hospital on 28 October.
  • 6 health workers, including 4 doctors and 1 nurse, were abducted from the hospital on 28 October.
  • 46 health workers have been killed in El Fasher since the conflict began.
  • 48 health workers have been injured in El Fasher since the conflict began.
  • 18 468 suspected cholera cases and 662 deaths have been reported in 40 localities across Darfur.
  • 272 suspected cholera cases and 32 deaths have been reported in El Fasher this year alone.
  • Over 260 000 people are trapped in El Fasher with no access to food, clean water, or medical care.

Sources:

  • WHO condemns killings of patients and civilians amid escalating violence in El Fasher, Sudan (29 Oct 2025)
  • https://www.who.int/news/item/29-10-2025-who-condemns-killings-of-patients-and-civilians-amid-escalating-violence-in-el-fasher--sudan