Measles outbreak sweeps Darfur displacement camps
February 5 2026 (ZALINGEI) – The General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur revealed on Thursday a widespread measles outbreak across several states in the region, amid a sharp deterioration in health and humanitarian conditions in displacement camps and a lack of medical services and food.
This development comes as the Darfur region experiences worsening humanitarian conditions since the outbreak of war. Displacement camps suffer from weak medical supplies and a decline in immunization programs, alongside the spread of malnutrition among children, which increases the risk of epidemic outbreaks and rising mortality rates.
On January 7, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched a measles vaccination campaign in South Darfur, which is expected to expand to cover 6 million children across the Darfur region.
Adam Regal, the spokesperson for the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur, told Sudan Tribune that infection rates have increased significantly, with cases in Central Darfur exceeding 2,500.
He explained that South Darfur state recorded more than 2,000 cases, alongside outbreaks in North, East, and West Darfur states, noting that the process of tallying cases is still ongoing in these states.
Regal pointed to increasing child deaths due to measles, stating that the exact number has not been accurately counted yet, given the harsh conditions faced by the displaced and the spread of diseases linked to hunger and malnutrition.
He added that many families face significant difficulty obtaining food, with some going without eating for one or two consecutive days.
The spokesperson appealed to the international community and humanitarian organizations to take urgent action to save civilians in Darfur, emphasizing that children and women are the most affected as they are among the most vulnerable groups in these deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted through respiration, with symptoms including coughing and sneezing. While effective treatment is available, it can lead to serious complications, including death, especially among children suffering from malnutrition or immune deficiency.