Sudan: Death toll rises after drone attack on hospital

EAST DARFUR (March 23, 2026) – Christian humanitarian organization World Vision mourns the deaths of at least 64 people, including 13 children, following a drone attack on the only functioning hospital in East Darfur state.  

The Sudan Ministry of Health confirmed the significantly higher death toll following the drone strikes on El-Daein Teaching Hospital on the night of Friday, March 20.  Additionally, 89 patients were severely injured, including eight medical personnel, with 81 of them being women and children.  

The attack comes at a moment of unprecedented peril for Sudan, with the conflict approaching its third year. Healthcare infrastructure across Darfur has been dismantled, depriving millions of life-saving medical care, even as malnutrition spreads across the region.  

The hospital served as the only fully equipped referral center for hundreds of thousands of people in East Darfur and greatly destabilizes World Vision’s health and nutrition operations. Its collapse means there is now nowhere to send children with severe medical complications, to treat severe infections or manage complicated births.  

“The bombing of a pediatric and maternity hospital is appalling,” said Simon Mane, World Vision’s national director in Sudan. “The rising death toll and the number of children killed in these attacks show how children are being targeted in this ongoing conflict. Children must be protected, and health facilities must not be a target.”  

World Vision operates a primary health unit in Abuema, El Daein. With the main government hospital now nonfunctional, the Ministry of Health requested that all partners expand services through primary health units and centers.    

Currently, partners operate two primary health units and six primary health centers in El Daein. World Vision Sudan’s primary health unit needs to be upgraded to serve as a primary health care center. This expansion requires comprehensive services, including immunizations, laboratory and diagnostic services and outpatient care, supported by a full-time medical doctor and 24-hour availability. 

“Children are being killed each day,” Mane said. “This is a heartbreaking blow to the humanity of the Sudanese people. The rise in drone attacks on civilian infrastructure further hampers humanitarian access and endangers our frontline staff, children and the families we serve.” 

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visit worldvision.org or follow on X @WorldVisionUSA.