WHO reports strike on Sudan hospital killed 64

Strike on Sudan Hospital Leaves 64 Dead, 89 Injured

A strike on Al Daein Teaching Hospital in Sudan’s western Darfur region killed at least 64 people, including 13 children, and injured 89 others, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The attack rendered the hospital inoperable, damaging its pediatric, maternity, and emergency departments. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed the casualties on X, stating, \’Enough blood has been spilled. Enough suffering has been inflicted. The time has come to de-escalate the conflict in Sudan and ensure the protection of civilians, health workers, and humanitarians.\’ He emphasized that \’Health care should never be a target\’ and called for peace as \’the best medicine.\’ The destruction has left thousands without access to critical medical services, worsening an ongoing humanitarian emergency.

“Enough blood has been spilled. Enough suffering has been inflicted. The time has come to de-escalate the conflict in Sudan and ensure the protection of civilians, health workers, and humanitarians.”

Escalating Violence in Sudan

The attack occurred amid escalating violence in Sudan, where assaults on healthcare facilities have become a recurring feature of the conflict. The WHO reported that 2,036 people were killed in 213 attacks on healthcare sites since the war began in April 2023, with over 720 additional injuries. The Al Daein strike is part of a broader trend of deliberate targeting of medical infrastructure, which has drawn criticism from international bodies and aid organizations. The hospital’s destruction not only killed patients and staff but also disrupted essential services for the surrounding community, many of whom depend on the facility for maternal care, emergency treatment, and chronic disease management. The WHO’s report noted that 85% of attacks on healthcare in Sudan occurred in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), indicating a systemic pattern of targeting medical facilities. This has raised concerns about hospitals being used as shields for combatants or as sites for launching attacks, complicating efforts to provide care in conflict zones.

Sudan’s Civil War and Mutual Blame

Sudan’s civil war, which began in April 2023, stems from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group led by Mohamed Hamdan Daghash, known as ‘Hemetti’. The conflict has escalated into a full-scale war, with both sides accusing each other of atrocities. The RSF has blamed the SAF for the Al Daein hospital strike, claiming it was a deliberate act of war. In contrast, SAF officials denied involvement, with two unnamed military sources asserting that the strike targeted a nearby police station. This mutual blame underscores the lack of accountability and transparency in the conflict, contributing to widespread civilian casualties and displacement. The RSF’s alleged responsibility for the attack has intensified calls for accountability, as the WHO and other organizations warn that such strikes undermine efforts to provide medical aid in conflict zones. The war has already claimed over 40,000 lives, according to United Nations figures, though aid organizations argue this is an undercount. The destruction of healthcare facilities has compounded the crisis, with the WHO noting that attacks on medical infrastructure have killed over 2,000 people since the conflict began. The Al Daein strike highlights the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure in a war where combatants often target hospitals, schools, and humanitarian aid convoys. The absence of clear rules of engagement and international enforcement mechanisms has allowed such attacks to persist, deepening the humanitarian catastrophe.

International Condemnation and Calls for Accountability

The WHO’s condemnation of the Al Daein attack has been echoed by international leaders and humanitarian organizations. Tedros Ghebreyesus’s statement, which called for de-escalation and the protection of civilians, aligns with broader calls for an end to the violence. The United Nations has also expressed outrage, with Secretary-General António Guterres urging all parties to ‘protect medical facilities and personnel’ and to ‘stop the cycle of violence.’ Aid groups such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) have criticized the targeting of hospitals as a violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on medical facilities under any circumstances. The attack has drawn attention to the broader issue of healthcare as a battlefield in modern conflicts. A 2025 report by the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) highlighted that 85% of attacks on healthcare in Sudan occurred in areas controlled by the RSF, suggesting a pattern of deliberate targeting. This has raised concerns about the use of hospitals as shields for combatants or as sites for launching attacks. The international community has called for increased sanctions and diplomatic pressure on both sides to comply with humanitarian law, but such measures have yet to materialize amid the ongoing stalemate.

WHO’s Response and Aid Efforts

In response to the Al Daein attack and the broader humanitarian crisis, the WHO has pledged to support local health partners in scaling up primary care services and treating the injured. The organization is deploying trauma care supplies, essential medicines, and mobile clinics to reach displaced populations. Additionally, the WHO is working with international donors to secure funding for hospital repairs and the recruitment of medical personnel. However, these efforts face significant challenges, including insecurity in conflict zones, limited access to affected areas, and the absence of a unified political will to address the crisis. Aid organizations are also stepping in to fill critical gaps. The Red Cross is coordinating the distribution of medical supplies to affected regions, while Médecins Sans Frontières (MS, F) has launched an emergency response to provide surgical care and maternal services in nearby hospitals. Despite these efforts, the scale of the crisis remains overwhelming. The WHO warns that without sustained international intervention, the healthcare system in Sudan will continue to collapse, leading to preventable deaths and long-term public health consequences. The Al Daein strike serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the urgent need for a political resolution to the conflict.

“Health care should never be a target”