Sudan faces a cholera outbreak, affecting approximately 100,000 people, according to the World Health Organization.
Sudan is currently grappling with a severe cholera outbreak and widespread malnutrition, exacerbated by ongoing conflict, water shortages, and funding shortages for health responses.
Cholera Outbreak
The Sudan Ministry of Health declared a cholera outbreak in August 2024. Since then, there have been approximately 99,700 suspected cholera cases and over 2,470 deaths directly linked to cholera across Sudan. The outbreak is particularly acute in the Darfur region, with Tawila, North Darfur, being one of the hardest-hit areas. As of early August 2025, around 2,957 suspected cholera cases were reported in Tawila alone, with MSF estimating the cases could reach up to 28,000 at the outbreak peak there. Cholera cases have also been reported in other states, such as Khartoum, White Nile, North Kordofan, South Darfur, and East Darfur.
The disease is spreading beyond Sudan’s borders, with cases reported in neighbouring Chad and South Sudan due to population displacement. The outbreak is fueled by poor water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions worsened by conflict, limiting access to clean water and hindering hygiene practices fundamental to cholera prevention.
Malnutrition
While specific details on malnutrition were not present in the search results, it is strongly implied that the humanitarian crisis, including cholera, water scarcity, and displacement, is contributing to widespread malnutrition. Severe malnutrition often accompanies such large-scale displacement due to lack of food, poor health conditions, and weakened immunity.
Vaccination Efforts and Response
Despite the urgent need, cholera vaccination campaigns have not yet been launched at scale in Darfur. MSF and other organizations are calling for coordinated mass vaccination campaigns to be urgently started alongside improvements to water and sanitation services. MSF stands ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and WHO to conduct vaccination campaigns but stresses the need for faster emergency coordination mechanisms.
Funding Shortages and International Response
The outbreak is described as a catastrophic situation, but international humanitarian response is hampered by funding shortages and logistical constraints, leaving critical gaps in water provision, sanitation infrastructure, and healthcare capacity. Coordinated efforts to improve outbreak management, increase vaccine delivery, improve surveillance, and cross-border coordination require more resources and urgency.
Cholera causes severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and muscle cramps. It can be treated with simple oral rehydration and antibiotics for more severe cases. Oral cholera vaccination campaigns have been conducted in several states, including the capital Khartoum. However, recent floods in Sudan are expected to worsen hunger and fuel more outbreaks of cholera, malaria, dengue, and other diseases.
In conclusion, Sudan faces a critical and urgent health crisis with the ongoing cholera outbreak and the escalating malnutrition situation. Coordinated vaccination campaigns, improved water/sanitation services, and adequate funding are necessary to prevent further spread and fatality. The international community must respond swiftly and adequately to this humanitarian crisis to prevent further suffering and loss of life.
- The cholera outbreak in Darfur, Sudan, has led to 2,470 reported deaths and approximately 99,700 suspected cases.
- The Sudan Ministry of Health declared a cholera outbreak in August 2024, with cases also reported in Chad and South Sudan due to population displacement.
- Ongoing conflict and water shortages in Sudan have worsened poor water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions, fueling the cholera outbreak and exacerbating malnutrition.
- MSF and other organizations are calling for coordinated mass vaccination campaigns in Darfur and improvements to water and sanitation services to prevent cholera's spread.
- The international community's response to Sudan's humanitarian crisis is hampered by funding shortages, logistical constraints, and poor coordination, leaving critical gaps in water provision, sanitation infrastructure, and healthcare capacity.
- The ongoing cholera outbreak and escalating malnutrition in Sudan necessitate coordinated vaccination campaigns, improved water/sanitation services, and adequate funding to prevent further spread and fatality, as well as a swift and adequate response from the international community to prevent additional suffering and loss of life.
