Cholera outbreak threatening refugees and displaced people in Sudan: UNHCR

In addition to hosting refugees from other countries, these states are reportedly also sheltering thousands of displaced Sudanese who have sought safety from ongoing hostilities.

To date, 119 cholera cases have reportedly been confirmed in three refugee sites in Kassala state, as reported by Sudan’s Ministry of Health.

“Tragically, five refugees have died after contracting the disease. While cholera cases have been reported in Gedaref state, no refugees have been impacted to date by the outbreak there, but we continue to monitor the situation,” the UNHCR statement reads in part.

The recent cholera outbreak, it added,  has resurged after several weeks of heavy rainfall and resulting flooding.

Risks are compounded, according to UNHCR, by the continuing conflict and dire humanitarian conditions, including overcrowding in camps and gathering sites for refugees and Sudanese displaced by the war, as well as limited medical supplies and health workers.

This is in addition to overstretched health, water and sanitation and hygiene infrastructure – all of which have been heavily impacted by the war.

Concerns have also been raised about the spread of waterborne diseases including malaria and diarrhea.

Sadly, however,  humanitarian access to those in need is being hampered by violence, insecurity persistent rainfall.

In White Nile, Darfur and Kordofan states, home to more than 7.4 million refugees and internally displaced Sudanese, access challenges have reportedly delayed the delivery of critical medicines and relief supplies, the UN said.

Acknowledged are efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners.

In Kassala, UNHCR is reportedly providing patient beds, medicine, and hygiene supplies in treatment facilities, and are training health workers.

In White Nile state, host to ten refugee camps, Cholera Treatment Centers to support isolation and treatment for suspected and confirmed cases are being established. Disease surveillance and testing are ongoing, and awareness-raising and training on cholera case management for health staff are also being conducted.

Across Sudan’s borders, UNHCR expressed concerns for the health and protection of Sudanese refugees – those who fled the country.

In South Sudan and Chad,  teams have reported an increase of malaria cases in refugee sites, triggered by the onset of the rainy season.

This comes, it stressed  amid alarming rates of malnutrition, and cases of measles, acute respiratory infections, acute watery diarrhea, and the risk of outbreaks of cholera.

Since the start of the conflict in Sudan, more than 10 million people have reportedly been driven from their homes, sheltering elsewhere within Sudan or in neighbouring countries.

With the humanitarian situation and funding level already precarious prior to this latest cholera outbreak, funds are desperately needed to support the provision of health care and other life-saving aid., the UN Refuge Agency said.

Meanwhile of the $1.5 billion required by UNHCR and other partners to provide assistance in countries bordering Sudan, only 22 per cent has reportedly been received.

(ST)