Hundreds die from cholera as war rages in Sudan

The ongoing civil war in Sudan has exacerbated a devastating cholera outbreak, with over 430 deaths reported in just the past month, according to the Sudanese health ministry. The total number of infections has surged to approximately 14,000, prompting urgent calls for intervention.

The health ministry has stated that it is making every effort to combat cholera in the affected regions, yet the escalating conflict significantly hampers their ability to deliver treatment. The war, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has already claimed the lives of up to 150,000 individuals, as noted by U.S. special envoy Tom Perriello. Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that their humanitarian efforts are regularly obstructed by both warring factions, resulting in a response that falls far short of what is necessary.

In a sobering new report, MSF highlighted the collapse of Sudan’s healthcare system. They noted an alarming increase in maternal and infant mortality rates, with pregnant women and newborns suffering disproportionately due to the ongoing crisis. The UN has characterized the situation in Sudan as one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with over nine million people displaced from their homes and widespread fears of famine as agricultural activities have ground to a halt.

Additionally, there are grave concerns about potential genocide targeting non-Arab populations in the western region of Darfur. Cholera is a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe diarrhea, dehydration, and death. Although it is treatable, immediate medical attention is crucial to prevent fatalities.

The outbreak was officially declared by Health Minister Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim in mid-August. The situation has been further aggravated by heavy rainfall and flooding, which have created ideal conditions for the cholera virus to spread, particularly in overcrowded displacement camps.

Esperanza Santos, MSF’s emergency coordinator for Sudan, described the confluence of factors—war, flooding, and displacement—as a “perfect storm” for the spread of cholera. In response to the outbreak, authorities have closed schools, markets, and other public spaces in an effort to contain the disease.

MSF’s report indicated that there were 114 maternal deaths recorded in the South Darfur region alone between January and August, while thousands of children face starvation. The findings suggest that the crisis in South Darfur is emblematic of the broader humanitarian disaster unfolding across isolated and war-torn areas of Sudan.

The lack of essential supplies, such as soap, clean birthing mats, and sterilized medical instruments, has led to infections like sepsis among mothers and their newborns. Dr. Gillian Burkhardt, MSF’s sexual and reproductive health manager based in South Darfur, expressed her shock at the dire conditions: “This is a crisis unlike any other I have seen in my career.”

As the cholera outbreak continues to escalate, the situation remains critical. Humanitarian organizations are struggling to provide necessary assistance while navigating the challenges posed by ongoing violence and infrastructure collapse. Without immediate and coordinated action, the health crisis in Sudan is likely to worsen, with catastrophic consequences for vulnerable populations already grappling with the impacts of war.

The international community faces an urgent need to address both the humanitarian crisis and the conflict itself. Without a resolution to the violence, the health system is unlikely to recover, and the threat of cholera and other diseases will continue to loom large over Sudanese society.

As the situation unfolds, the world watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough that could alleviate the suffering of millions and restore some semblance of normalcy in a country steeped in turmoil.