The aid community in Sudan is facing challenges in containing outbreaks of dengue fever, mpox, and suspected cholera cases amidst insecurity and access issues, according to UN humanitarians. In the El Nuhud area of West Kordofan state, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners are responding to a suspected acute watery diarrhea outbreak linked to cholera, with over 100 suspected cases and numerous associated deaths reported this week.
In Darfur, UN humanitarians are collaborating with health authorities to tackle suspected mpox outbreaks in Central and South Darfur states, where more than 300 suspected cases and five related deaths have been reported this week. WHO is supporting a significant cholera and measles vaccination campaign led by authorities in Darfur.
Responding to dengue fever outbreaks in Northern and River Nile states, the WHO and health partners have taken action. In Northern state, suspected cases have surged by over three times in the past month, exceeding 500 cases. These health crises are unfolding amidst ongoing insecurity that poses risks to civilians and humanitarian operations, with recent drone strikes in South Kordofan causing casualties and damaging health facilities and medical supplies.
The humanitarian community in Sudan aided more than 1.6 million individuals in the initial four months of this year. OCHA has urged all parties to safeguard civilians and civilian infrastructure, ensure access as per international humanitarian law, and emphasized the critical need for additional funding to provide life-saving aid to millions in Sudan.
