According to Kristine Hambrouck, UNHCR Representative in Sudan, the situation in Sudan is dire, with people dying of hunger, ongoing conflict, protection issues, and daily displacements. The heavy rainfall in the region has only compounded the challenges.
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that in addition to the cholera outbreak, famine is also ongoing in Zamzam camp near El Fasher town. So far, there have been 658 reported cases and 28 deaths since the outbreak was declared on August 12. The previous outbreak in May saw over 11,300 cases and 300 deaths.
WHO has also warned that 12 out of 18 states in Sudan are facing multiple disease outbreaks, including cholera, malaria, measles, and dengue.
However, despite the urgent need for healthcare interventions, the UN health agency has limited resources and local capacity to detect and respond to outbreaks, especially in hard-to-reach areas like Darfur and Kordofan states.
Meanwhile, Ms. Hambrouck of UNHCR has stated that cholera is spreading in areas hosting internally displaced people and refugees. Kassala, Gedaref, and Jazirah states have seen a large number of cases, with 119 cases and 5 deaths reported in three refugee sites in Kassala.
Ms. Hambrouck also highlighted the difficulty of addressing this emergency in Sudan, where fighting between rival militaries has been ongoing since April 2023. The country has faced political turmoil since a military coup in 2021 and the ousting of President Omar Al-Bashir in 2019.
She emphasized the need for investments in refugee camps and displacement sites, where people are living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. The water systems in place are unable to meet the needs of the growing population, and massive investments are needed to address the situation.
An initial vaccination campaign has been successful in protecting over 50,000 people from cholera, with more doses on the way. Dr. Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative in Sudan, confirmed that the campaign has concluded in Kassala state, with a target of reaching 97% of the population.
Meanwhile, aid access remains a challenge due to miscommunication and difficult transport conditions during the rainy season. The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, has stated that the recent arrival of 15 trucks from Chad is a step in the right direction, but more efforts are needed to ensure a steady flow of aid to areas at risk of famine.
Farming supplies, including seeds, are also being transported into Darfur to boost food production. This is crucial in addressing the worsening hunger crisis in Sudan, where over 10.3 million people have been displaced since the start of the conflict.
UNHCR has emphasized the urgent need for funding to support the humanitarian response in Sudan. The Regional Refugee Response Plan, which aims to provide assistance in countries bordering Sudan, has only received 22% of the required $1.5 billion. The inter-agency response inside Sudan is only 37% funded.
Ms. Hambrouck has called for international efforts to stabilize the cholera situation in Sudan, stating that the current funding levels are not enough to address the needs of the population.