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The United Nations appealed to Sudan’s warring parties to do more to protect health facilities and workers amid an escalation in fighting.

The UN said nearly 150 attacks on healthcare centres in Sudan have been recorded by the World Health Organization (WHO) since the conflict began. But the organization believes the real figure is most likely far higher than reported.

“Our humanitarian colleagues are telling us that the continued hostilities have caused waves of displacement, overwhelming an already fragile healthcare system that is struggling even to meet people’s basic needs,” Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said in a statement.

“On top of that, the insecurity and access constraints continue to impede our partners’ attempts to provide essential medical supplies.”

The UN added that it was particularly concerned about the humanitarian situation in El Fasher, the state capital of North Darfur state, and displacement camps in surrounding areas.

The UN noted that more than 200 health facilities in the city are not functioning. In addition to that, it faced severe shortages of medical staff, as well as medical supplies.

According to the UN, across areas impacted by the hostilities in Sudan, more than 70 percent of hospitals and health facilities in areas affected by the conflict are no longer operational.

“We appeal, yet again, for the parties to the conflict to ensure safe, sustained and timely humanitarian access to reach people in need of critical support. Civilians have to be protected, and the essential needs for their survival have to be met.”