Geneva, 9 March 2026 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is appalled by the killing of a Sudanese Red Crescent volunteer while on duty on 5 March 2026.
Um Salama Mohammed Abdullah was a volunteer from South Kordofan State Branch. She was on duty in the maternity ward in Al-Dilling hospital when the health facility was reportedly attacked. She was 24 years old.
The IFRC sends its deepest condolences to her family, friends and all our Sudanese Red Crescent colleagues providing life-saving assistance even during this difficult time.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems are symbols of protection, humanity, neutrality, and hope. Yet too often, our volunteers and staff are killed while performing life-saving work. The loss of Um Salama Mohammed Abdullah is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
Any attack on humanitarian personnel weakens entire communities and compromises our ability to help the people who need it most.
The IFRC calls for the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and medical personnel: it is a legal and moral obligation.
Our network is mourning, but this is not enough. The killing must end now. Humanitarians must be protected.
The Sudanese Red Crescent has lost 22 colleagues on duty since the beginning of the conflict (April 2023).
Since the start of the year, globally, 5 members of the IFRC network have passed away while on duty.
For more information: [email protected]
In Geneva:
Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367
Lea Salwan, +41 79 245 70 49
In Sudan:
Anette Andresen, +249 11 01201 93, WhatsApp + 47 415 19 115