Cholera kills 120 in Sudan - WHO

Sudan is grappling with a severe cholera outbreak that has claimed at least 120 lives and infected over 1,100 people in isolated conflict zones since May, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The ongoing war, now in its third year, between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has crippled the nation's healthcare infrastructure. This marks Sudan's third cholera wave in as many years, occurring just two months after the previous outbreak was officially declared over. The previous wave, from July 2024 to March 2026, saw more than 124,400 infections and 3,500 deaths, according to government figures.

Dr. Shible Sahbani, the WHO's Sudan chief, explained that while cholera outbreaks were historically cyclical in the region, the near-continuous nature of current outbreaks is a direct result of the conflict, restricted access for aid, and limited supplies. The situation is expected to deteriorate further with the onset of the rainy season in the coming weeks. Heavy rains typically lead to a surge in cholera cases as millions lack access to safe drinking water, and the weather further impedes humanitarian access.

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due to the conflict, constraints in access and limited supplies

The Sudanese government officially declared the latest outbreak in West Kordofan state, a key battleground between the warring factions. Constant drone strikes have made commercial and aid deliveries to the region increasingly perilous, pushing hundreds of thousands to the brink of starvation. Reports indicate the outbreak may be spreading to neighboring North Kordofan, with nearly 300 suspected cases and three deaths. The United Nations has warned of a potential "mass atrocity" in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, as the RSF reportedly prepares a ground assault, and drone strikes have already disrupted essential services like water and electricity.

Sahbani further highlighted the dire state of healthcare facilities, with approximately 40% non-functional and another 60% only partially operational, providing limited services. Aid groups estimate that the war has caused over 200,000 deaths, rendering most hospitals unusable.

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Forty percent of health facilities are non-functional at all, and the remaining almost 60 percent are only partially functioning, meaning they are providing only a few services, or not enough to patients in the area