Sudan Faces Devastating Cholera Outbreak Amid Ongoing Conflict

In early August, the cholera ward in Tawila, Sudan, reached full capacity, underscoring what a leading medical charity described as the country’s most severe cholera outbreak in recent years.

Health organizations warn that the disease, which has already spread beyond Sudan’s borders, could trigger further outbreaks throughout the surrounding region.

Sheldon Yett, a UNICEF representative in Sudan, highlighted the risk of cross-border transmission, noting that the epidemic has already extended into South Sudan and Chad. Without effective intervention, the outbreak could continue to spread for weeks or even months.

Since the Health Ministry declared a cholera outbreak one year ago, Sudan has reported nearly 100,000 suspected cases and over 2,400 deaths linked to the disease. In just one week, 40 fatalities were recorded in western Darfur alone, according to aid organizations working on the ground.

Tawila, located in North Darfur about 44 miles from El Fasher—the last Sudanese Army stronghold in the region—has become a focal point for the outbreak. The town’s population has surged as hundreds of thousands of people flee ongoing violence in nearby areas.