The ongoing war in Sudan has ravaged cities, collapsed the healthcare system, and set off a crisis, with cholera and dengue fever outbreaks compounding the struggles of millions facing life-threatening hunger. Humanitarians warn that the situation has reached critical levels, with hunger rates in some areas surpassing the “famine threshold.”
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported over 28,000 cholera cases and 836 related deaths across 11 states between late July and October. Dengue fever cases have surged as well, primarily in Kassala and Khartoum, where floods from heavy rains worsened the spread by contaminating water supplies. Kassala has been the hardest hit, with over 6,800 cholera cases and nearly 200 deaths.
In response to the outbreak, Sudanese health authorities and humanitarian agencies have launched a vaccination drive to protect 1.4 million people in the worst-affected areas. Despite these efforts, humanitarian access is limited in many conflict zones, and escalating violence in North Darfur has cut off vital supplies to the famine-stricken Zamzam camp, where Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) halted malnutrition treatments for 5,000 children last month due to supply blockades.
The collapse of Sudan’s healthcare system further hinders relief efforts, with nearly 80% of health facilities in conflict zones either barely operational or shut down, according to the World Health Organization. Over 100 incidents of violence against healthcare workers, facilities, and patients have been reported since April.
Despite these overwhelming challenges, aid organizations continue to provide support where possible, reaching an estimated 12.6 million people across the country. However, the humanitarian situation remains dire, as millions of internally displaced people and vulnerable communities grapple with disease, hunger, and inadequate medical care.