Cholera is spreading rapidly in conflict-ridden Sudan, leading to at least 388 deaths and around 13,000 reported illnesses in the last two months, according to health officials.
This concerning increase occurs amidst a protracted conflict that has lasted for 17 months between al Burhan’s army (SAF) and a rival group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with no end in sight.
The cholera outbreak is particularly affecting regions that have recently endured severe rainfall and flooding, notably in eastern Sudan, where millions of displaced individuals have sought shelter.
The health ministry’s weekend report revealed that cholera claimed six more lives and sickened approximately 400 individuals.
The disease has been detected in 10 of Sudan’s 18 provinces, with the eastern provinces of Kassala and al-Qadarif experiencing the worst outbreaks.
According to the World Health Organization, cholera is a rapidly spreading, highly contagious disease that causes severe diarrhea, potentially leading to dehydration and death within hours if not treated. The infection is transmitted through contaminated food and water.
Cholera is not unfamiliar in Sudan; a major outbreak in 2017 resulted in over 700 deaths and around 22,000 illnesses within two months.
The ongoing violence has resulted in at least 20,000 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries, according to U.N. estimates, although rights organizations and activists suggest the real figures may be much higher.
The war has also triggered the world’s largest displacement crisis, with over 13 million people forced to flee their homes since the onset of hostilities, as reported by the International Organization for Migration. The figure includes more than 2.3 million individuals who have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
The destruction caused by seasonal flooding and the cholera outbreak has compounded the suffering in Sudan, with at least 225 fatalities and approximately 900 injuries attributed to flooding, according to the health ministry.
Essential infrastructure has been severely damaged, and over 76,000 homes have been either destroyed or severely affected.
