SUDAN: A vicious power struggle between the regular army and a powerful paramilitary force has led to violence across the country. As the tussle continues for the 9th day with no sign of truce, the death toll has increased to 400 with almost 3,351 injured according to the WHO.
“According to the Ministry of Health in Sudan, the number of health facilities that have stopped working is 20. And also, according to Ministry of Health numbers, the number of health facilities at risk of stopping is 12,” said WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris.
As per sources from United Nations children’s agency said as many as nine children have been reportedly killed in the fighting and more than 50 have been grievously injured.
The US and UK announced on Sunday they had flown diplomats out of the country. Likewise France, Germany, Italy and Spain also carried out evacuations.
The US embassy in Khartoum is now closed, and a tweet on its official feed says it is not safe enough for the government to evacuate private US citizens. The Sunak government managed to airlift British diplomats and their families out of the country in what was described as a “complex and rapid” operation. Foreign Minister James Cleverly said options to evacuate the remaining British nationals in Sudan were “severely limited”.
A handful of Dutch citizens left Khartoum on the French plane, and the Netherlands hoped to airlift more citizens out on Sunday evening. German authorities confirmed air lifting of 101.
More than 150 people, mostly citizens of Gulf countries, as well as Egypt, Pakistan and Canada were evacuated by sea to the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah.
Reports reveal internet connectivity has almost totally collapsed in Sudan, which could seriously hinder the coordination of help for those trapped in Khartoum and other cities.
The constant bombarding in Khartoum and the western region of Darfur, where the RSF first emerged has cut electricity and safe access to food and water for much of the population.