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WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the news coming from Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state in Sudan, is alarming.

In his statement, Ghebreyesus said: “Reports from Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state in Sudan, indicating that more than 70 health workers and around 5,000 civilians have been forcibly detained are deeply concerning to us.”

Referring to data from the Sudan Doctors Network, Ghebreyesus said: “There are reports that detainees are being held in overcrowded and unhealthy conditions, and that disease outbreaks have occurred.”

Stressing that the WHO is closely monitoring the situation, Ghebreyesus stated: “The WHO is gathering more information about the status and conditions of those detained. Ongoing security challenges further complicate the situation.”

Emphasizing the need to protect health workers and civilians, Ghebreyesus said: “Reports of the detention of health workers and thousands of people are extremely concerning. Health workers and civilians must always be protected, and we call for their safe and unconditional release.”