8 dead in Sudan paramilitary attack on shelter
Nearly all of Darfur, the vast western region of Sudan, remains under RSF control, with communications and media access cut off since the RSF's war with the army began in April 2023.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands, triggered the world's largest hunger and displacement crisis; and devastated the northeast African country.
"The RSF bombed a shelter where citizens had taken refuge using a drone, late on Tuesday night", the doctor said from El Fasher Teaching Hospital, one of the city's last functioning health facilities.
They spoke on condition of anonymity for their safety, as health workers have been repeatedly targeted, using a satellite internet connection to circumvent the communications blackout.
North Darfur state's capital, El Fasher, is the only major city in Sudan's vast Darfur region still outside RSF control, despite a siege that began in May last year.
Since losing control of the capital Khartoum to the army in March, the RSF has stepped up attacks on El Fasher and its surrounding displacement camps — where famine has already been declared — in an attempt to consolidate its hold on Darfur.
The United Nations has repeatedly warned of the plight of the city's trapped civilians, who shelter from shelling in makeshift bunkers dug in courtyards and in front of houses.
The bunker bombed on Tuesday had been "sheltering dozens of people", an eyewitness said.
The city's resistance committee, one of hundreds of volunteer groups coordinating frontline aid across the country, said El Fasher was rocked by RSF artillery throughout Wednesday.
El Fasher's estimated one million people survive with barely any access to food, water or healthcare, with critical infrastructure decimated by a lack of maintenance and fuel shortages.
The United Nations said this week that nearly 40 per cent of children under five in El Fasher were suffering from acute malnutrition, including 11 per cent with severe acute malnutrition.
Aid sources say an official famine declaration is impossible given the lack of access to data, but mass starvation has all but gripped the city.
Since the war began, the UN estimates 780,000 people have been displaced from El Fasher and its surrounding displacement camps, including half a million in April and May following a series of brutal RSF attacks. — AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
14 hours ago
- Observer
Over 30 reported dead in attack on Sudan displacement camp
At least 31 people were killed and 13 wounded when the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked a displacement camp in the Sudanese region of North Darfur, the Sudan Doctors Network said on Saturday. The assault targeted the Abu Shouk camp on the outskirts of ElFasher, the doctors' network said, adding: "The injured were treated under dire humanitarian and health conditions."The city has faced severe shortages of medicine, medical personnel and food due to the RSF siege. The United Nations says Abu Shouk has been attacked by the RSF at least 16 times between January and June, leaving more than 200 people dead and over 100 wounded. War erupted in Sudan in April 2023 between the RSF and the Sudanese army, displacing millions and creating what the UN describes as the world's worst hunger crisis. About 25 million people - half the population - face acute food insecurity, with 3.5 million women and children suffering from malnutrition. El Fasher is the last city in North Darfur still under government control. It has been besieged by the RSF since May of last trade routes into El Fasher have been cut, driving prices for scarce goods to extreme levels. Some residents are reported to be surviving on animal fodder and food scraps. Both conflicting parties have been accused of committing serious human rights abuses.
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Times of Oman
Philippines accelerates TB elimination drive with India's community-based screening devices
New Delhi: The Philippines, one of the top five countries with the highest tuberculosis (TB) burden, faces the challenge of detecting and treating an estimated 1,90,000 missed TB cases each year, an official statement said. In line with the United Nations target to find and treat 2.1 million Tuberculosis cases in the country by 2027, the Philippines' Health Department is stepping up its commitment to strengthen community-level screening and diagnosis through India-made innovative Truenat® systems and ultra-portable X-ray devices. Currently, there are 68 Truenat® devices deployed across the Philippines, enabling rapid, multi-disease molecular testing for TB, HIV, HPV, Hepatitis B & C, and more. A pilot in the Bantayan Islands demonstrated the transformative potential of the platform, achieving a remarkable 1008% increase in TB case detection, as per the statement. Molbio's WHO-endorsed and ICMR-approved solutions for TB detection address critical barriers in the Philippines, such as geographic isolation, underutilization of laboratory testing, and limited access in rural and island communities. The recent approval of the PRORAD Atlas Ultraportable X-ray by the Philippines FDA paves the way for integrated, end-to-end TB screening and diagnosis, ensuring immediate linkage to treatment. Health Secretary of the Philippines Theodore J Herbosa said, "As we intensify our efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB) in the Philippines, the collaboration with India stands as a beacon of innovation and partnership. The integration of India's indigenous diagnostic technologies, such as the Truenat® system, into our healthcare infrastructure is pivotal. Truenat®, known for its rapid and reliable molecular diagnostic capabilities, allows for swift and accurate TB screenings, enhancing our capacity to manage and eventually eliminate TB within our borders, especially in remote areas." "This collaboration is part of a broader strengthening bilateral relationship between India and the Philippines, which now exceeds USD 3 billion in trade. India is a key supplier of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and diagnostic technologies, contributing significantly to our healthcare advancements. Our partnership with India is a prime example of how collaboration in health, technology, trade and defence can come together to address pressing challenges and enhance our bilateral ties, driving both healthcare progress and economic prosperity in our nations," added Theodore. As part of its ongoing commitment to the Philippines, Molbio Diagnostics will host a high-impact panel at the 31st Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PhilCAT) Annual Convention on August 14-15, 2025, in Manila. With a portfolio spanning more than 40 tests for infectious and non-infectious diseases, Molbio combines portability, speed, and accuracy to strengthen public health systems worldwide. Molbio's ongoing studies include a multi-country project funded by the R2D2 TB Network that is exploring novel tongue swab-based molecular diagnostics to improve TB detection among children and people living with HIV/AIDS, the statement said. "By bringing testing closer to communities--whether on remote islands or underserved rural areas--we can close the gap in TB detection and treatment, helping the Philippines achieve its elimination targets. We are committed to strengthening the fight against infectious diseases across the globe, helping countries build more resilient and responsive health systems," said Shiva Sriram, President of Molbio Diagnostics.
Observer
05-08-2025
- Observer
Achieving sustainability in food system
As conflicts and climate emergencies worsen and the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic persist, a glimmer of hope is found in a report indicating that global hunger has decreased. The Independent Stakeholders' Report at the UN Food Systems Summit in Addis Ababa, co-authored by multiple United Nations agencies, found that global hunger declined slightly in 2024 after peaking in 2021 and 2022, thanks to progress in Asia and South America. 'It's inspiring to observe the global progress in combating hunger, but we must acknowledge that this progress is not uniform,' stated UN Food and Agriculture Organization Director-General Dr Qu Dongyu at the summit. Nevertheless, 8.2 per cent of the global population — estimated between 638 and 720 million individuals — continued to experience hunger last year, and the conditions were deteriorating, especially in Africa, where the rate stands at 20.2 per cent. "Famine drives unrest and weakens harmony. Hunger must never be viewed as a tool of war," Antonio Guterres stated during the summit, using a video link. Food security, which ensures that everyone has access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food, is a complex challenge with significant ethical, economic and social implications. It is not only about having enough food, but also involves the accessibility, availability and proper utilisation of that food, as well as the stability of the food supply. The report highlighted the significant distance remaining to achieve its objective of eradicating global hunger by 2030. Present estimates indicate that approximately 512 million individuals will remain undernourished by the decade's conclusion, with 60 per cent residing in Africa. AFP quoted Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, as stating, 'Global hunger statistics have shown minor enhancements when compared to 2022 and 2023." Nonetheless, advancements have not been uniform worldwide, as food insecurity persisted in many sub-regions of Africa and Western Asia. A worsening hunger crisis has plagued Gaza for weeks due to Israel's tight control over all resources, igniting increasing global outrage over individuals perishing from starvation in the area. 'Conflict persists in fuelling hunger from Gaza to Sudan and elsewhere,' stated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his online address. The World Health Organization has alerted that malnutrition in the occupied Palestinian territory has hit "alarming levels" since Israel enforced a complete blockade on Gaza. During his speech at the Addis Ababa summit, Dr Saud bin Hamoud al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, mentioned that Oman has made considerable progress in various food and nutrition security indicators. "Important initiatives encompass the Food Security Strategy, National Nutrition Strategy, National Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy, Environment and Natural Resources Strategy, and the Genetic Diversity Strategy for Local Livestock," he stated. Oman stands out among the Gulf countries for its strategic planning and rigorous policies aimed at preserving its status as a food-secure nation. Self-sufficiency in food, characterised by reduced reliance on imports, is continuously increasing in the Sultanate of Oman. Guided by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the country has developed a comprehensive food security strategy that outlines various goals aimed at enhancing the nation's food supply in areas such as production, importation, storage and distribution. Oman's 2040 Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy seeks to enhance sustainability in the agricultural sector through investments, boost economic income, generate job opportunities for citizens, assist rural communities and address structural disparities in agriculture. The nation placed third in the Arab region and 35th in the Global Food Security Index for 2022. The index relies on assessment criteria drawn from universally recognised components of the food security concept, which include food accessibility, food availability, food quality and safety, food sustainability and adaptability, with a comparison encompassing 113 nations.
