The World Health Organization confirmed on Wednesday that a cholera outbreak in Sudan has resulted in 120 fatalities. Since May, health officials have tracked 1,102 suspected cases, primarily within active conflict regions. This crisis arrives amid a three-year struggle between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces that has severely damaged the nation’s medical infrastructure.
This current wave marks the third instance of cholera in as many years. It began just two months after officials declared the previous outbreak finished in March. Historical data shows that cholera previously appeared in three-year cycles; however, Dr. Shible Sahbani, the WHO Sudan chief, noted that ongoing fighting and restricted humanitarian access have turned these occurrences into nearly constant emergencies. With the rainy season approaching, health experts fear a significant rise in infections, as millions of citizens currently lack clean water.
The Sudanese government officially identified the outbreak this week in West Kordofan. Delivery of aid remains difficult due to frequent drone strikes, which also threaten the local population with starvation. Reports indicate the illness is moving into North Kordofan, where 300 suspected cases and three deaths have emerged. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warned that regional damage to power grids has crippled access to electricity and safe drinking water.
The broader healthcare sector is in a state of collapse, with UN figures suggesting the three-year war has claimed over 200,000 lives. Dr. Sahbani reported that 40 percent of the nation’s medical facilities have closed entirely, while the remaining 60 percent offer only limited or insufficient care to the public.
