A leading medical organization, Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières - MSF), has raised alarms over a significant rise in cholera cases in war-torn Sudan. The new outbreak has predominantly affected the capital region, particularly the twin city of Omdurman. In just the past week, MSF reported treating nearly 2,000 suspected cases of cholera, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The alarming increase in cholera cases began in mid-May and has coincided with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which has been exacerbated by civil war. Since the conflict erupted over two years ago between the Sudanese army and its rival paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the country has faced rampant violence and suffering, resulting in the deaths of at least 20,000 people, with many more unaccounted for.
MSF’s Sudan coordinator, Joyce Bakker, emphasized that their treatment centers in Omdurman are currently overwhelmed, leading to dire situations where many patients arrive too late for effective care. The cholera outbreak is indicative of broader health challenges facing the population, as reported figures show an average of 600 to 700 new cases per week over the past month, as stated by Sudan’s Health Minister Haitham Ibrahim.
The cholera outbreak was not unexpected, as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. The influx of returning displaced individuals to Khartoum has put immense strain on the city’s limited water resources, further compounding the public health crisis. As families return to the capital in search of shelter, they are met with challenges that render basic resources such as clean water scarce.
According to reports, there were no immediate official mortality figures for this current outbreak, but anecdotal evidence from aid workers suggested at least 12 fatalities due to cholera in Omdurman alone. Prior to this, in March, MSF reported that 92 individuals had died from cholera in White Nile State, where approximately 2,700 people had contracted the disease since late February.
The current escalation of cholera cases is occurring amidst one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, which has seen over 14 million people displaced from their homes due to ongoing conflict and instability. As Sudan enters its third year of war, conditions continue to worsen with rampant food insecurity and disease outbreaks throughout various regions.
MSF’s Bakker called for a unified humanitarian response, highlighting the critical need for water, sanitation, and hygiene programs, as well as an expansion of treatment facilities to adequately cope with the overwhelming number of cases. She noted the disturbing reality of the situation, with many patients not receiving the necessary treatment in time, which stresses the urgency for increased support and intervention in the affected areas.
