GENEVA: Surgical supplies donated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are now being distributed to seven hospitals in Khartoum, a statement from the humanitarian organization said.

Supplies include anesthesia, antibiotics, dressings, sutures and other items being used to treat wounded people, ICRC added.

“Only 20% of health facilities in Khartoum are still functioning, a true collapse of the system right when it’s needed the most. That’s why getting these critical medical supplies to the few functioning hospitals is a matter of life and death,” said Alfonso Verdu Perez, the head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan.

“Hospitals also urgently need water, electricity and a safe environment for their patients and staff. We appeal to the parties to respect the work of medical personnel. Lives depend on it,” he added.

According to health authorities in Sudan, over 700 people have been killed and more than 5,000 injured since fighting broke out on April 15 between the country’s army and its rival paramilitary forces.

Infrastructure such as water and electricity installations have been severely damaged and left Sudanese people without access to these services. There have also been reports of attacks against health-care personnel, health-care facilities and ambulances.

Countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been sending relief planes to deliver humanitarian aid including medical supplies and food.

The ICRC also said that it has coordinated with its local counterpart, the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, whose volunteers collect and identify bodies of casualties in the conflict.

ICRC added that it was engaging ‘with all the parties on the ground to facilitate medical evacuations of wounded people’ as it reminded them of their responsibilities under international humanitarian law.