Khartoum, Sudan — Sudan is facing a growing health crisis as cholera outbreaks have claimed over 2,300 lives since July. The Ministry of Health reported on Tuesday that 91,034 cholera cases, including 2,302 deaths, have been recorded across 116 localities in 17 states.
Between July 12 and 18 alone, 1,307 new cases and 18 deaths were documented in 35 localities across 12 states. Tawila locality in North Darfur State reported the highest number of infections with 519 cases during that week, while Bileil locality in South Darfur State saw the highest number of deaths.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that the humanitarian situation in Sudan is worsening. The cholera outbreak, coupled with floods and mass displacements, is putting immense pressure on already underserved areas.
Seasonal diseases are surging in Sudan, particularly those linked to the rainy season, such as malaria, cholera, and dengue fever. The health crisis is exacerbated by ongoing conflicts that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The fighting has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions within Sudan and across its borders.
Currently, 70 to 80 percent of medical institutions in conflict zones are non-operational, and more than 250 hospitals nationwide have been forced to close. The collapse of healthcare services is hindering efforts to control the cholera outbreak and provide essential medical care to affected populations.
Humanitarian organizations are calling for immediate international support to address the crisis. Access to clean water, sanitation, and medical supplies is critical to preventing further spread of the disease and alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people.
