Sudan student electrocuted fixing power in Darfur clinic
A 27-year-old electrical engineering student has died trying to fix the power at a hospital affected by the fighting in Sudan's Darfur region.
Muhammedin Fadul Idris Wadi, known to his friends as Ala Danedn, was electrocuted at Sayed al-Shahada Health Centre in Fasher city on Thursday.
He was part of a group volunteers trying to keep the clinic going amid fierce clashes and looting.
"He was known for his smile, even in the time of the war," his friend said.
"He gave his life as a servant of the people of Fasher," Ahmed Ishaq, who studied with him at the University of Fasher, told the BBC.
Ala Danedn was admired for his tireless work and selfless community initiatives, he said.
A tag line accompanying his profile photo on Facebook reads: "Don't wait for the opportunity, create it."
Since the conflict broke out in Sudan between rival military factions on 15 April, his group of volunteers, called the Youth of the al-Thawra Initiative, have been focused on assisting medics in Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.
All medical facilities in Fasher, except South Hospital - a repurposed maternity clinic - had to close because of their proximity to the fighting, or the inability of staff to reach them.
"I saw him working with all effort to clean and receive the wounded in South Hospital throughout the first week," said Mr Ishaq.
"He kept us buoyant psychologically in difficult times with his kind words - and he worked like a bee."
The volunteers then turned their attention to the Sayed al-Shahada Health Centre, which had been damaged and looted and subsequently abandoned by staff.
They felt it was important to try and reopen it given its proximity to vulnerable neighbourhoods in the south of the city including Abu Shanbat and Zam Zam camps, which are home to communities who fled their villages in the ethnic violence that ravaged Darfur 20 years ago.
His group raised money to organise for the facility to be refurbished and buy food, medicine and other medical supplies.
"He was good at networking with pharmacies and medical supplies companies," Mr Ishaq said of his friend's dedication to see the health centre reopen.
The clinic started operating again last Monday with the help of 25 volunteer medics and 80 community volunteers, but was still facing difficulties.
With many places cut off from electricity - or having an erratic supply - Ala Danedn had been attending to an electric problem at the health centre on Thursday evening.
His friend said he collapsed after receiving a strong shock and was transferred to South Hospital.
But after 48 hours volunteers there were unable to save him and the undergraduate died on Saturday night.
"We had promised one another that after the war ended that we would meet once again in the city centre, replacing the sounds of bullets with melody, music and joy - sessions he loved," Mr Ishaq said.
"But Ala Danedn is gone and we owe it to him to keep our covenant as volunteers to make life better for our people."
The fighting that erupted three weeks ago is devastating the country - hundreds of civilians have died and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes.
The army and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), are continuing to fight for control of key areas of the capital, Khartoum, despite attempts to get the two sides to talk.
Around seven million people are trapped in their homes in Khartoum, unable to get basic supplies including food.
Envoys from the army and RSF have started talks about a short-term ceasefire in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, according to Saudi officials. However, several previous ceasefires agreements have failed to halt the fighting.
-
China bans major chip maker Micron from key infrastructure projectsFormer Wolverhampton councillor cleared of fraudCancer survival a mixed picture in WalesTime 'running out' to protect vulnerable from CovidCan you get incostlyer wideband deals with consequentlycial tariffs?MP Margaret Ferrier faces Parliament probeTaxi firm struggles with surge in demandHospital pressure exceeds worst of Covid pandemicSecond suspect is arrested over assault on Marco Rubio canvasser 'for being Republican', after it was revealed victim is 'former' neo-NaziCancer survival a mixed picture in Wales
Next article:The Chicago Bears trade Robert Quinn to NFC leaders the Eagles for a FOURTH-ROUND pick as Philadelphia strengthens an already undefeated team
- ·Two men arrested in connection with rape of LSU consequentlyrority student Madi Brooks have been released from jail: Casen Carver, 18, and Everett Lee, 28, post $125K bond
- ·Calls to make Covid-19 memorial wall permanent
- ·Lockdown breach councillors de-selected
- ·Fireworks night cancelled after mortar bombs found
- ·Gangland teen, 18, allegedly shoots two student rivals dead in Iowa
- ·Johnson Partygate defence offensive - bereaved mum
- ·BBC One Scotland coverage
- ·The politics driving China's hellish lockdowns
- ·Food price inflation dips for second month in a row
- ·Balloons take to the skies above Bristol
- ·Four in 10 Londoners switch to hybrid work - data
- ·Asymptomatic Covid test pause in health buildings
- ·Marcelo Bielsa tells Everton he DOESN'T WANT the job as manager - notwithstanding positive talks after flying in from Brazil - with Sean Dyche now in pole position
- ·'Tolkien' pub reopens after major renovation
- ·Bid to expand Isle of Man Covid response review
- ·Girl raises funds to help families afford Christmas
- ·Jill Biden wears sunglasses in first emergeance since cancer surgery on her eye - as husband Joe ref utilizes to answer questions on documents scandal (notwithstanding finding time to emerge in SNL sketch)
- ·New Covid wave to hit Leeds, says health chief
- ·ME sufferer welcomes new dedicated service
- ·Ambulance crews treating sicker patients say bosses
- ·Sylvia Syms dies at age 89: Actress who starred in Ice Cold In Alex, Victim, The Queen and EastEnders passes away 'peacefully' at a care home, her family reveal
- ·Glassblowers counting cost of rising energy bills
- ·Pound sinks as UK economic uncertainty rises
- ·Is this the end for 'Side Hustle Scotty'?
- ·Top economist calls for 'lenient' migration rules
- ·MP Margaret Ferrier faces Parliament probe
- ·Montana to become first US state to ban TikTok
- ·Australia ends Covid isolation rule after strict era
- ·Covid-19 lateral flow testing extended into August
- ·Workers go into office 1.5 days a week, says survey
- ·China bans major chip maker Micron from key infrastructure projects
- ·Anti-vaxxer cleared of plan to damage Javid home
- ·We're not about getting loo roll quickly, says Etsy
- ·Pregnant women urged to have Covid jab - Manx Care
- ·San Francisco 49ers acquire running back Christian McCaffrey from Panthers 'in exconvert for picks' in surprise blockbuster move for former eighth overall pick
- ·Holiday lets penalised by tax changes, say owners