Sudanese army soldiers outside a military site in Nyala town, South Darfur on April 18, 2023. (Courtesy photo)

War interrupts basic services in Nyala town

A civil society activist and Darfur Women’s Forum member said the ongoing war has interrupted essential services in Nyal town of Sudan’s South Darfur state.

A civil society activist and Darfur Women’s Forum member said the ongoing war has interrupted essential services in Nyal town of Sudan’s South Darfur state.

Sudan has plunged into chaos since fighting erupted in mid-April between the country’s two rival top generals. There is an increasing concern for those trapped and displaced by the war, and aid workers and civilians have said there’s a dire lack of essential services, medical care, food, and water.

The fighting has turned urban areas into battlefields.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Activist Sarah Mustafa said citizens in Nyala town still suffer from interruptions in communication, water, and electricity networks.

Sarah pointed out that the humanitarian situation is significantly deteriorating, saying that the area is experiencing a severe shortage of medicines for diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and anemia.

She indicated that the specialized hospital in the city stopped working, including the dialysis center, which exacerbated the conditions of those suffering from chronic diseases.

“The only functioning Turkish hospital that treats those affected by the airstrikes is at its maximum capacity, and all its wards are full, prompting the administration to set up tents outside for the patients to receive treatment,” said Sarah.

Sarah called on the National Ministry of Health and organizations working in the area of health to support the hospital with medicines as soon as possible.

Another Nyala citizen who preferred anonymity also complained about the total power outages and blackouts of telecommunication networks and water services in Nyala town.

He called on the authorities and the organizations to intervene as soon as possible before their situation deteriorates further.

Local officials in the area could not immediately be reached for comment.