Health authorities in East Darfur on Monday began a cholera vaccination campaign in the state capital El Daein and in Abu Jabra, the first since conflict erupted in April 2023.
Mohamed Joda, head of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, said the drive runs through Oct. 1 and targets areas with the highest death and infection rates. He said 419,799 doses have been allocated: 259,799 to El Daein, which has recorded 60 deaths and 680 infections, and 160,000 to Abu Jabra, where eight deaths and 224 infections have been reported.
Health promotion director Abdullah Ibrahim Aboud said the rollout is paired with awareness efforts, including mobile loudspeaker campaigns, meetings with community leaders and outreach at mosques.
Last week, the Health Ministry banned funerals for cholera victims and prohibited food sales near the teaching hospital to slow transmission. Officials warned the response is constrained by shortages and the broader collapse of health services amid the war.
