Cholera cases surge in Sudan amid conflict, aid shortages

August 18, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s health minister on Sunday reported a sharp rise in cholera cases, with 354 infections and 22 deaths recorded, as the country grapples with conflict and a humanitarian crisis.

The surge in cases comes amid widespread disruption of healthcare services, water sanitation and waste management due to the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim said the ministry plans to seek international assistance to provide vaccines and stabilize the supply of medicines. He also pledged to work with relevant authorities to ensure access to clean water and combat disease vectors.

The head of Sudan’s Central Committee for Health Officers, Heba Al-Maki, warned that the suspension of disease control and sanitation services, coupled with food insecurity and the forced consumption of unsafe food, has created a breeding ground for epidemics.

The conflict has also severely disrupted aid efforts, with millions facing food insecurity. A report by Save the Children found that 16.4 million Sudanese children are facing a severe hunger crisis, forcing many to consume unsafe food and increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

The Civil Forces Alliance for Eastern Sudan reported a particularly alarming rise in cholera cases in the Wad Al-Haliu area of Kassala state, accusing authorities of failing to take adequate measures to contain the outbreak and hindering the work of aid organizations.

The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April, has displaced millions and severely disrupted essential services, leaving much of the population vulnerable to disease and malnutrition.