Sudan: Three Years Since Civil War Onset - Severed Lifelines -- Action Needed for Civilian Protection
Three years after Sudan's civil war began on April 15, 2023, 14 million people are displaced. Warring factions have destroyed essential services, leading to a collapse of the healthcare system. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) highlights the severe impact, including preventable deaths, and calls for civilian protection and accountability.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 18:39
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:29 (5h 50m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 00:31 (216h 2m after Collected)
It has been nearly three years since the civil war began in Sudan on April 15, 2023. The number of displaced people has reached 14 million. The opposing Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary 'Rapid Support Forces' (RSF), along with their supporting factions, have completely destroyed life-sustaining systems such as healthcare, food, and security. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) points out that indiscriminate violence against civilians is spreading with impunity, and humanitarian aid is failing to reach people amidst a healthcare collapse. It urges all parties to the conflict and the international community to ensure the thorough protection of civilians, respect for medical facilities, accountability for atrocities, and sustained humanitarian access.
## Fighting is not the only cause of death; preventable diseases claim lives
In 2025 alone, MSF treated over 7,700 people for violence, including shootings, and provided more than 250,000 emergency consultations. Consultations for sexual violence exceeded 4,200, and over 15,000 children with acute malnutrition were admitted for inpatient care. These figures indicate that in addition to direct casualties from fighting, the relentless violence is having a profound impact on people's lives.
Over the past three years, routine vaccinations have been interrupted, and the disease surveillance system has collapsed. While infectious diseases are spreading rapidly, early detection of outbreaks has significantly slowed down. The reduction in funding from UN agencies and other aid organizations has further exacerbated the already critical situation. Consequently, many people are dying from preventable diseases such as measles, Hepatitis E, and cholera.
## Healthcare becoming a target
Furthermore, hospitals have suffered from looting, bombing, and occupation. Medical staff are frequently threatened or detained. Even ambulances struggle to reach the injured. Since April 2023, there have been 213 attacks on medical facilities across Sudan, resulting in over 2,000 deaths and 720 injuries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Sudan accounted for 82% of global deaths from attacks on healthcare in 2025. During this period, MSF experienced over 100 incidents of violence against its staff, facilities, and medical supplies. Most recently, on April 2, an attack on Al-Jabaline Hospital, reportedly by the RSF, killed 10 people, including former MSF staff. Just two weeks earlier, on March 20, an attack on El Daein Hospital in East Darfur State, reportedly by the Sudan Army, killed 70 people, including 15 children. Moreover, Sudanese authorities are obstructing humanitarian aid activities by denying or blocking aid organizations like MSF from accessing certain areas.
## Newly Emerging Drone Attacks
The use of drones in attacks has also become a new concern.
## Fighting is not the only cause of death; preventable diseases claim lives
In 2025 alone, MSF treated over 7,700 people for violence, including shootings, and provided more than 250,000 emergency consultations. Consultations for sexual violence exceeded 4,200, and over 15,000 children with acute malnutrition were admitted for inpatient care. These figures indicate that in addition to direct casualties from fighting, the relentless violence is having a profound impact on people's lives.
Over the past three years, routine vaccinations have been interrupted, and the disease surveillance system has collapsed. While infectious diseases are spreading rapidly, early detection of outbreaks has significantly slowed down. The reduction in funding from UN agencies and other aid organizations has further exacerbated the already critical situation. Consequently, many people are dying from preventable diseases such as measles, Hepatitis E, and cholera.
## Healthcare becoming a target
Furthermore, hospitals have suffered from looting, bombing, and occupation. Medical staff are frequently threatened or detained. Even ambulances struggle to reach the injured. Since April 2023, there have been 213 attacks on medical facilities across Sudan, resulting in over 2,000 deaths and 720 injuries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Sudan accounted for 82% of global deaths from attacks on healthcare in 2025. During this period, MSF experienced over 100 incidents of violence against its staff, facilities, and medical supplies. Most recently, on April 2, an attack on Al-Jabaline Hospital, reportedly by the RSF, killed 10 people, including former MSF staff. Just two weeks earlier, on March 20, an attack on El Daein Hospital in East Darfur State, reportedly by the Sudan Army, killed 70 people, including 15 children. Moreover, Sudanese authorities are obstructing humanitarian aid activities by denying or blocking aid organizations like MSF from accessing certain areas.
## Newly Emerging Drone Attacks
The use of drones in attacks has also become a new concern.