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Haz click aquí para leer este posicionamiento en español. Khartoum, 2 July 2024: Another horrendous attack on one of our healthcare clinics in Sudan has occurred this week. Several staff and volunteers from our Member Association in Sudan, the Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA), have now been injured or killed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Our clinic in El Fasher has been destroyed, meaning there is one less option for women and girls to receive lifesaving sexual and reproductive healthcare in the region.   For over a month, ongoing battles around El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur, have been taking place.The RSF, who have stationed themselves 10 kilometres from the city, have been indiscriminately shelling military and civilian targets.   One of our SFPA volunteers, Mahasen Abdul Jabbar, was killed after being hit by gunshot at the clinic. This morning, Dr Daifallah Mohammed, a volunteer family medicine specialist in our El Fasher clinic, also died as a result of the warfare.  The RSF bombardments have also severely injured several of our staff: Dr Marwa, a doctor at the Integrated Centre in El Fasher, was hit by shrapnel in her leg. A midwife at Abu Shouk centre, Halima Abdullah Adam, was hit and four of her children were injured and evacuated. The house of the guard of Abu Shouk centre was hit, killing his daughter and wounding four of his other children.  One of our nurses has been hit with shrapnel and has been transferred to hospital and is in critical condition and all contact with her has been lost. The RSF has also been kidnapping our patients, their whereabouts unknown.   This latest attack is on top of previous attacks on our clinics in Sudan, which destroyed our facilities in Khartoum and El Fashir and health centres run by SFPA between 7-9 September 2023.  Women and girls in Sudan are facing an upsurge in sexual and conflict-related violence. Our staff have witnessed firsthand the impact of this heinous crime on the most vulnerable people, including women, girls and other marginalized groups. We previously reported that rape victims and survivors are struggling to obtain contraception, abortion medication and post-exposure anti-viral medications. They face severe and life-threatening consequences, including loss of family support and homes and shelters and increased risk of suicide. Survivors are afraid to seek medical treatment because of the stigma and fear of reprisals from rape.  Fadoua Bakhadda, Regional Director, Arab World Region, said:   “We unequivocally condemn all violence against civilians, especially against health centers that are attacked while providing essential services to those in need. Such acts are an affront to humanity and the sanctity of care.  The murders, displacement and destruction in Sudan must stop. It is vital that warring parties remember their obligations under International Humanitarian Law, which include ensuring the protection of civilians and the protection of health structures and health personnel.”  Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General of IPPF, said:   “We are devastated to learn of another attack on one of our clinics in Sudan, and the injuries and loss of lives to our staff and volunteers. Healthcare facilities, and most importantly, healthcare workers, must never be the target of war. The sexual and reproductive health and lives of 800,000 people in North Darfur – including women, children, and people with disabilities – are hanging in the balance as bombing and shelling cause widespread harm to civilians and severely disrupt the essential health services they very much depend on.  Now, more than ever, our healthcare facilities must be protected so they can continue to provide care to the populations enduring these needless attacks. Our clinic, which previously was able to provide lifesaving sexual and reproductive healthcare such as prenatal care and contraceptives, is gone. Where will women and girls seek these services now? There must finally be a critical mass of people of conscience saying enough is enough in this forgotten crisis.”   For more information and to speak to one of our staff in North Darfur, Sudan, please email media@ippf.org   About the Sudan Family Planning Association  The Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA) was established in 1965 by pioneers in obstetrics and gynaecology in response to increases in maternal, neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity. As the statistics show, Sudan is a country in great need of frontline sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Advocacy, and undertaking information, education and communication (IEC) programs are critical. In 2023, SFPA provided 38 million services through 25 clinics, 272 associated clinics, 39 mobile clinics, 1494 CBD/CBS, and digital/Virtual channels. Since the start of the crisis on 15 April 2023, the association teams were successful in providing 8 million services through 25 SDPs and 10 million services through non damaged associated and mobile clinics. SFPA was able to assist 1,183 deliveries under bombardment and provided 170 943 treatments of HIV in its static clinics. About the International Planned Parenthood Federation The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. We are a movement of 150 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 146 countries. Building on a proud history of 70 years of achievement, we commit to lead a locally owned, globally connected civil society movement that provides and enables services and champions sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, especially the under-served. We advocate for a world where people are provided with the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights, and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity - no matter what.    

Over the past few days, the world has watched in horror and disbelief at the events unfolding in Ukraine. It is estimated that over 500,000 people have now fled – many of whom are women and children – into neighbouring countries such as Poland, Hungary and Romania. The UN anticipates 4 million refugees by July 2022. During Humanitarian crises, sexual and reproductive healthcare is often overlooked. But the reality is daily sexual and reproductive healthcare needs such as essential care for pregnant people, access to menstruation products for people who menstruate, as well as ensuring people who need sexual and reproductive health assistance have access to the right information, remains an urgent priority. IPPF is working with partners on the ground in Poland to link those fleeing the conflict with critical sexual and reproductive health services as well as provide them with essential items.  Julie Taft,  Director of Humanitarian for the International Planned Parenthood Federation, said "As we mark one week since the invasion of Ukraine, the complex humanitarian situation has become even more apparent. Right now, millions across the country are fighting for their survival, while food, medical supplies and essential hygiene products run dangerously low, including equipment needed to provide life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare. The destruction of healthcare infrastructure also means that women are forced to deliver their babies in bomb shelters. At the same time, sick and vulnerable new-borns must receive care in the basements of hospitals.   "In response to the growing humanitarian crisis, the International Planned Parenthood Federation has partnered with the All-Poland's Women's Strike, a Polish women's rights movement currently supporting people displaced by the war. The $50,000 USD grant will go towards dignity kits, consisting of basic hygiene supplies, menstrual-hygiene products, blankets, food, diapers and baby clothes. Items will be distributed to Ukrainians who have fled into Poland as well as transported cross-border into Ukraine. The funds will also support the All-Poland's women's strike to link refugees who have crossed the Ukraine-Poland border with essential healthcare services. "IPPF is proud to partner with such a brave and unyielding organisation on the frontline and will continue to work closely with other NGOs to facilitate care for those who need it most. However, NGOs cannot operate efficiently without the support of the international community, which must guarantee the safe passage of humanitarian aid into Ukraine. The urgent need for unhindered humanitarian access is especially significant for unaccompanied minors and those left behind, who are often the most vulnerable populations and who will require distinct care during this tragic situation." Marta Lempart, Founder of the All-Poland Women's Strike, said: "We are deeply committed to helping displaced people flee the invasion of our neighbour, Ukraine. Our teams across Poland are working around the clock to support vulnerable people crossing both at the border, including unaccompanied minors at-risk of trafficking and those left behind or heading back to Ukraine. Both groups will require personalised care and support. "We are pleased to partner with the International Planned Parenthood Federation, so we can continue delivering dignity kits to those who need them most; for displaced people arriving with just the clothes on their back, access to even simple necessities are a lifeline. We are also thankful for the outpouring of support from across Europe - the funding will help care for exhausted families who have made it safely across the border, covering transport, rent, bills and other expenses as they begin to build their futures outside of Ukraine. "Disasters reinforce, perpetuate, and increase existing inequalities, making bad situations even more tragic and resulting in consequences that will carry down for generations. But with the international community's support, we can ensure that organisations like Women's Strike and IPPF are there for people every step of the way." Click here if you would like to donate to IPPF's Ukraine Appeal.  For media enquiries, please contact Karmen Ivey on kivey@ippf.org or media@ippf.org