UN warning: Cholera threatens to escalate in Sudan amid war and rainy season
At least 114 people have died
Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
The World Health Organization warned of a worsening cholera outbreak in Sudan, amid the ongoing Conflict The armed conflict and increasing displacement, coinciding with the onset of the rainy season, warns of a further deterioration in the already dire humanitarian situation.
The organization explained, in a statement issued Friday, that the cholera outbreak, officially declared on June 27, has so far resulted in the deaths of at least 114 people and infected more than 1,300 others, noting that the disease is spreading in several states, particularly in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, where security conditions significantly hinder access to aid and health services.
The World Health Organization’s representative in Sudan, Shibli Sahbani, said during a video press briefing from Geneva that “The cholera epidemic has returned,” noting that the current mortality rate of 13.7% is alarmingly high, with cases expected to rise as the rains come.
He pointed out that cholera, a severe and potentially fatal diarrheal disease, spreads rapidly amid deteriorating water and sanitation services, which large areas of Sudan are suffering from as a result of the war.
These developments come at a time when Sudan is facing one of the worst humanitarian crises globally, with more than 33 million people needing humanitarian assistance, including nearly 21 million in urgent need of health services, according to the organization's estimates.
Sahbani expressed deep concern over the situation in El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, which is suffering from a siege and a severe deterioration of health services amidst escalating clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to overcrowded medical facilities and difficulty in accessing aid.
He also warned against repeating the scenario in El Fasher, North Darfur, which witnessed catastrophic humanitarian conditions after a long siege, stressing that “there is a real danger that El Obeid will become another El Fasher, or worse.”.
