Sudan Faces Health Crises Amid Ongoing Insecurity
Health Emergencies in Sudan
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United Nations, May 22: Humanitarian organizations in Sudan are grappling with outbreaks of dengue fever, mpox, and suspected cholera cases, amidst significant security and access challenges, according to UN officials.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that in the El Nuhud region of West Kordofan, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are addressing a suspected outbreak of acute watery diarrhea, which is often linked to cholera. This week alone, over 100 suspected cases and numerous related fatalities have been documented.
In the Darfur area, UN humanitarian teams are collaborating with local health authorities to manage suspected mpox outbreaks in Central and South Darfur, where more than 300 suspected cases and five deaths have been recorded this week, as stated by OCHA. The WHO is backing a significant vaccination initiative against cholera and measles, led by local authorities in Darfur.
Furthermore, in the Northern and River Nile states, the WHO and health partners are responding to dengue fever outbreaks, with suspected cases in the Northern state having surged more than threefold in the past month, exceeding 500.
OCHA emphasized that these health crises are occurring against a backdrop of ongoing insecurity that threatens both civilians and humanitarian efforts. In South Kordofan, recent drone strikes in and around Dilling reportedly resulted in at least two fatalities and multiple injuries, with one strike damaging a health facility and destroying essential medical supplies.
In the first four months of this year, the humanitarian community in Sudan has provided assistance to over 1.6 million individuals.
OCHA urged all parties involved to safeguard civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to ensure access as mandated by international humanitarian law. There is also an urgent need for additional funding to provide life-saving aid to millions in Sudan, as reported by a news agency.