UN warns of rising displacement, spreading cholera in Sudan amid aid shortfalls

June 4, 2025 (UNITED NATIONS) – Conflict-driven displacement and a persistent cholera outbreak are exacerbating humanitarian needs across Sudan, a United Nations spokesperson said on Wednesday, calling for increased funding and unimpeded aid access.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres, highlighted new displacement figures and a concerning shift in the cholera epidemic’s spread.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that nearly 9,700 people were recently displaced from Al Salha in Um Durman, Khartoum State, due to fighting. Many remained within Um Durman, while others moved north to the Karrari district, where security remains “fluid.”

In South Kordofan, over 9,000 people fled Dibebat town in Al Quoz locality last week due to intense clashes, with the situation remaining “very volatile,” IOM told the U.N.

Separately, some 600 people were displaced from Abu Shouk camp and El Fasher town in North Darfur state last week. Most sought refuge within El Fasher, while others moved to localities such as Tawila, where the U.N. and its partners are scaling up aid despite “significant gaps due to shortfalls in resources and challenges in getting partners on the ground.”

The cholera outbreak, while seeing daily cases fall in Khartoum state, is “steadily increasing” in northern River Nile state. Health authorities there reported over 180 cumulative cases and four deaths in the past two weeks, concentrated in Atbara, Barbar and Damar localities. Of these, 55 cases reportedly arrived from other states, including 45 from Khartoum and Um Durman, underscoring the disease’s cross-regional spread.

Humanitarian partners warn that continued displacement, damaged infrastructure, and limited access to safe water are accelerating cholera transmission.

Meanwhile, thousands of displaced people returning to Blue Nile state need urgent assistance, lacking food, clean water, healthcare, shelter and education.

Dujarric stressed that insecurity, citing a recent attack on the World Food Programme, along with access constraints and critical funding shortfalls, continue to undermine aid efforts.

“We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, unimpeded humanitarian access across borders and conflict lines, the protection of civilians, as well as increased funding so we can scale up,” Dujarric said.