In January and April 2021 around 100,000 people were displaced during intercommunal conflict in the city of Al-Geneina, West Darfur. Thousands of people fled and are now living in 100 so-called “gathering sites,” which are very basic shelters in open areas or government buildings in and around the city. They have very poor access to healthcare, clean water and sanitation, which poses a risk to their wellbeing.

Further out of the city centre, healthcare is much harder to obtain, and because of the recent conflict, some communities are unable to come into town to get the care they need.

On top of this, there are very few other humanitarian actors present in the city. There are ongoing vulnerabilities for displaced communities, particularly regarding access to healthcare and the potential risk of outbreaks of water-borne disease.

In response to clear medical needs, MSF launched operations in and around Al-Geneina in February 2021, operating mobile clinics, opening a fixed clinic, and supporting Al-Geneina Teaching Hospital. MSF is also supporting the MoH in capacity building and in cholera preparedness.