11 - 17 May 2025: Attempts to drag Emergency Response Rooms into the conflict, women bearing the brunt of war, Adre border to remain open and increased shelling of Abu Shouk camp.

19 May

Written By Asya Satti

By William Greenwood

Khartoum Emergency Response Rooms reject attempts to pull them into political and military conflict

The Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasis) criticized the Khartoum State government's decision not to allow any humanitarian activity without following the legal procedures regulating volunteer work, saying that the RSF were providing protection to the Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs).
The Khartoum State ERRs stated that they "reject this type of cheap political maneuvering, and we also consider the claims of RSF protection an insult to the bloodshed that occurred during their control of Khartoum and the violations committed by their forces against volunteers and citizens."
The group emphasized that it is an independent organization "with no ties to any faction or military alliance and is not affiliated with any entity other than humanitarian work”, and called for refraining from involving the emergency rooms in any political or military conflict out of respect for the right to life of the Sudanese people.
The statement indicated that the ERRs are monitoring attempts by political and military entities to exploit them and drag them into conflicts, whether through misleading statements or the suggestion of alleged support or affiliation.

The ongoing war in Sudan has exacerbated women's suffering, decimating the already fragile health system.
Maternal and child mortality have been exacerbated by ongoing displacement, hunger, thirst, and poverty, which have particularly affected women.
As a result, the maternal mortality rate has risen to 295 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to the Federal Ministry of Health.
The World Health Organization estimates that more than 1.1 million pregnant women in Sudan lack access to basic services such as antenatal care, safe delivery, and postnatal care.

European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said she is deeply relieved by the Sudanese government's decision to extend the opening of the Adre border crossing with Chad for an additional three months.
Lahbib stated on her X account that this crossing is a "lifeline," considering its continued opening "vital for millions fleeing the war" in Sudan.
The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the government's decision to extend the opening of the Adre border crossing until August 15 to deliver humanitarian aid to those affected by the war.

The global stockpile of oral cholera vaccine has been depleted, with no doses available, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), amid new cases.
Between September 2 and 29, 2024, Sudan reported 15,047 new cholera cases and 408 associated deaths, with a case fatality rate of 2.7%, reflecting a 498% increase in cases and a 219% increase in deaths compared to the previous month.
The national case fatality rate during this period ranged between 2% and 3%, with several states, including Gadarif, Kassala, and Sennar, experiencing higher case fatality rates.
The organisation says multiple risk factors, including ongoing violence and recent severe flooding, have exacerbated the situation, increasing the risk of cholera transmission throughout the country.

18 people were killed and 30 others were injured in four days of continuous shelling by Rapid Support Forces on the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), North Darfur.
Artillery shelling targeting cities and IDP camps in North Darfur is escalating, while the Abu Shouk Emergency Response Room (ERR) warned of worsening health conditions and a food and water crisis in the IDP camps in North Darfur.
The Abu Shouk ERR added: "There is no food, and citizens are now relying on drinking water mixed with flour and some leafy greens”, noting that all collective kitchens providing food aid to those trapped amid the fighting have stopped, with one kitchen recently returning with the support of a local organisation.