Measles outbreak kills four in North Darfur as health system fails

April 25, 2026 (SHANGIL TOBAYA) – The General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur reported on Saturday an alarming rise in measles cases in North Kordofan state, amid an acute shortage of medicine and deteriorating healthcare services.

The measles outbreak coincides with an unprecedented decline in health services across the region. Ongoing conflict has disrupted immunization programs and forced many health centres to close.

Adam Rejal, spokesperson for the coordination group, told Sudan Tribune that monitoring teams recorded more than 50 measles cases, including four deaths, in the Shangil Tobaya area. He noted that numbers are expected to rise due to the weak health response.

Cases were also recorded in the neighbouring areas of Dar al-Salam and Abu Hamra. Regal stated that tallying cases at these locations is still underway.

Rejal noted that the spread of measles occurs against a backdrop of the near-total collapse of health facilities. He said this has worsened the crisis, particularly for children, who are the most affected.

The spokesperson appealed to health and humanitarian organizations, specifically the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, for urgent intervention to contain the disease and provide vaccines.

He also called on the warring parties to stop the fighting, warning that the continued conflict exacerbates the humanitarian situation and increases casualties among women and children due to the spread of epidemics.