Doctors Without Borders: Cholera is the Latest Threat Facing Sudan
Moatinoon
Doctors Without Borders has warned of a cholera outbreak in central and eastern Sudan, further exacerbating the risks, deaths, and suffering for a population already devastated by the brutal war in the country. The organization stated that its emergency teams are supporting efforts to treat and provide water and sanitation services.
Esperanza Santos, the emergency coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Sudan, said, “The frightening combination of heavy floods and torrential rains, along with poor living conditions and inadequate access to clean drinking water for millions of people today—especially in overcrowded displacement camps—has created the perfect environment for the spread of this often deadly disease.”
The organization urged the warring parties in Sudan to facilitate the access of medical staff and supplies to all needed areas across the country, enabling a swift and coordinated response to prevent avoidable deaths. This plea comes after nearly 17 months of challenges and obstructions in delivering humanitarian aid to Sudan.
Frank Ross Katambula, the medical coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, called on the United Nations and international organizations to fund and expand activities, particularly water and sanitation services. He noted that people are currently dying from cholera. "These services are essential to stop the deadly spread," he added.
Katambula also warned of the risk of running out of essential supplies, such as cholera kits, at a time when scaling up the response is urgently needed. “We call on the authorities to expedite and facilitate the delivery of supplies and medicines, as bureaucratic hurdles remain a significant challenge,” he said.
Sudanese authorities declared a cholera outbreak in August, heavily affecting the states of Kassala, Gedaref, and River Nile, with cases also emerging in Gezira and Khartoum. According to the Ministry of Health, over 5,000 cases of cholera and 190 deaths have been reported. In the second half of August, weekly cases quadrupled.
Cholera cases are not uncommon in Sudan, but the country has been experiencing outbreaks since the war began in April 2023. Over the past year and a half, Doctors Without Borders teams have been actively involved in emergency responses to mitigate the impact.
