At least 40 individuals have lost their lives to cholera in the Darfur region of Sudan, marking one of the largest outbreaks the country has faced in recent years, according to the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The outbreak, which has escalated in the context of ongoing conflict, has drawn significant international attention as humanitarian conditions deteriorate.
Since the onset of conflict over two years ago, the western region of Sudan has been plagued by violence between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). MSF reports that this situation has exacerbated the cholera outbreak, which began approximately a year ago. In a recent statement, the organization highlighted the urgent humanitarian needs of the population, noting that over 2,300 patients have been treated for cholera in the Darfur region alone, with fatalities reported within just one week.
Nationwide, health authorities have documented nearly 100,000 suspected cases and close to 2,500 cholera-related deaths since August 2023. This bacterial disease, typically spread through contaminated food and water, can lead to severe dehydration and death within hours if not treated promptly. However, access to life-saving treatment remains a challenge.
In an effort to combat the outbreak, health officials initiated a 10-day vaccination campaign in the capital, Khartoum. This proactive approach aims to quell the spread of cholera, which has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, mass displacement of populations, and the effects of heavy rainfall.
MSF has reported that millions displaced by the ongoing violence now face significant hurdles in acquiring clean water for essential needs such as drinking and hygiene. In Tawila, North Darfur, for example, approximately 380,000 individuals have fled from battle zones and currently subsist on as little as three liters of water per day, which is below the recommended minimum for survival.
Sylvain Penicaud, MSF’s project coordinator in Tawila, emphasized the harsh realities faced by families in displacement and refugee camps. Many are forced to resort to dangerous sources of water, resulting in further cholera infections. Tragically, a recent incident involved a body being discovered in a well within a camp, highlighting the dire conditions and contamination risks in these areas.
Since March, when the army regained control of Khartoum, violence has intensified, particularly as the RSF seeks to capture el-Fasher, the final major city in Darfur still under army management. The United Nations has raised alarms regarding the humanitarian crisis impacting civilians caught in the conflict.
Heavy rains have amplified the challenges, by further polluting water supplies and damaging vital sewage infrastructure. MSF cautions that those escaping the conflict are inadvertently spreading the cholera infection into neighboring countries, including Chad and South Sudan.
Tuna Turkmen, MSF’s mission head in Sudan, described the situation as “beyond urgent,” asserting that the outbreak’s impact is extending far beyond displacement camps into various localities across Darfur and beyond. The international community is reminded of the critical need to address both the humanitarian crisis and the preventable nature of the disease that threatens survivors of war.
In the context of ongoing conflict, it is paramount that affected populations receive urgent aid and resources to combat cholera and safeguard their health.
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