Sudan experience 40 cholera-related fatalities within a week, according to MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières)
In the heart of Sudan's Darfur region, a cholera outbreak has been causing havoc, claiming lives and displacing thousands amidst the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The fighting has resulted in the displacement of as many as 380,000 people in Tawila, North Darfur state. This wave of displacement has been triggered by a raid on a refugee camp and the siege of El-Fasher, the state's besieged capital. The ongoing conflict has left communities in a state of vulnerability, with limited access to clean water and poor sanitation becoming a breeding ground for the disease.
The cholera outbreak has been particularly severe in Tawila, where over 2,900 suspected cases have been reported by early August 2025. This outbreak, officially declared in August 2024, has resulted in the death of 40 people over the past week alone. Children, especially those weakened by hunger and displacement, are among the most vulnerable populations at risk.
Response efforts are being led by multiple actors. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is managing most cholera cases in Tawila, estimating that the number of cases could reach 28,000 at the outbreak’s peak. UNICEF is planning to deliver over 1.4 million oral cholera vaccine doses, along with essential supplies such as soap, latrine slabs, and plastic sheeting. However, challenges remain due to conflict-related access restrictions.
Expansion of treatment centers, such as the Damazin Hospital cholera treatment center, has been undertaken to cope with the influx of patients. Coordination between the Ministry of Health, World Health Organization, UNICEF, and MSF is emphasized to rapidly scale vaccination campaigns, improve water and sanitation services, and provide healthcare urgently.
UNICEF warns that $30.6 million in funding is urgently required to support the emergency cholera response in Sudan. The outbreak's trajectory remains concerning, with sustained transmission in North Darfur despite some declines elsewhere, underscoring the need for accelerated and well-coordinated response efforts.
The rapid spread of cholera is attributed to water shortages and a collapsed health care system. The cholera outbreak is largely concentrated in areas under RSF occupation, according to Darfur Governor Mini Arko Minawi. The fighting between the Sudanese military and the RSF has been ongoing since April 2023, exacerbating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
This cholera outbreak is a stark reminder of the disease's propensity to thrive in conditions of poverty, poor sanitation, and lack of clean water. As the conflict continues to rage, the people of Sudan's Darfur region remain in a precarious state, hoping for an end to the violence and a return to normalcy.
This article has been edited by Keith Walker, with contributions from Youcef Boufidjeline.
References: [1] UNICEF. (2025). Sudan: Cholera outbreak response in Sudan needs $30.6 million to save lives. [online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/sudan-cholera-outbreak-response-sudan-needs-306-million-save-lives
[2] World Health Organization. (2025). Cholera Outbreak, Sudan. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/20240720-week-29-sitrep-sudan-cholera-outbreak
[3] Médecins Sans Frontières. (2025). Cholera outbreak in Sudan. [online] Available at: https://www.msf.org/cholera-outbreak-in-sudan
[4] Sudan Tribune. (2025). Over 2,400 deaths from cholera in Sudan since August 2024. [online] Available at: https://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article74173
[5] Al Jazeera. (2023). Sudan's civil war: More than 12 million displaced, UN says. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/25/sudan-s-civil-war-more-than-12-million-displaced-un-says
- The World Health Organization (WHO) is working alongside the Ministry of Health to control the cholera outbreak in Sudan.
- International organizations, such as UNICEF, are stepping up their efforts to provide vaccines and essential supplies.
- The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is hindering the delivery of medical aid in Darfur.
- The United Nations (UN) has warned that more funding is urgently required to combat the cholera outbreak and improve healthcare systems in Sudan.
- Science and medical advancements are crucial for the production and distribution of oral cholera vaccines worldwide.
- Sleep deprivation can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to chronic diseases like cholera.
- Workplace wellness programs should emphasize proper hygiene and regular handwashing to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
- Cholera patients require immediate medical attention and hydration to prevent severe dehydration that can lead to death.
- The government must address medical-conditions such as cholera to protect its citizens from avoidable deaths and suffering.
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