Sudan is grappling with a new health crisis as a cholera outbreak has claimed at least 22 lives and infected hundreds more in recent weeks.
The impoverished African nation, already reeling from a devastating 16-month conflict and severe flooding, now faces the added burden of containing a rapidly spreading waterborne disease.
Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim confirmed the grim figures on Sunday, revealing that at least 354 cholera cases have been detected nationwide.
While the exact timeframe for these statistics remains unclear, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a more extensive toll, with 78 cholera-related deaths and over 2,400 cases recorded up until July 28.
Cholera, a highly contagious disease transmitted through contaminated water or food, poses a significant threat to populations lacking access to clean sanitation and healthcare.
The outbreak has exacerbated the dire conditions in Sudan, where a civil war has displaced millions, destroyed infrastructure, and crippled the healthcare system.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between al Burhan’s army SAF and the Rapid Support Forces, has triggered a humanitarian catastrophe.
Widespread violence, coupled with economic collapse, has pushed the country to the brink of famine, with the UN warning of mass starvation in certain regions.
To compound the crisis, devastating floods have swept through Sudan in recent weeks, causing further displacement, infrastructure damage, and creating ideal breeding grounds for waterborne diseases like cholera.
The UN estimates that over 118,000 people have been displaced by the floods alone.
The cholera outbreak has prompted a swift response from the WHO, which is working alongside Sudanese health authorities to implement a vaccination campaign.
However, the challenges of reaching affected populations amid ongoing conflict and displacement remain immense.
As Sudan’s humanitarian crisis deepens, international aid organizations are racing to provide life-saving assistance, including medical care, clean water, and food.
The world is watching closely as the country struggles to contain the cholera outbreak and find a path towards peace.
