• Cholera outbreak in Sudan has led to 172 deaths in one week, primarily in Khartoum.
• 90% of cholera cases are reported in regions where water supply has been disrupted by war.
• Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, with many forced to close due to ongoing violence.
• Aid organizations emphasize the urgency of addressing water, sanitation, and health needs.
• The situation is exacerbated by the return of displaced populations facing severe malnutrition.

Sudan's Health Ministry has reported a sharp increase in cholera cases, with 172 fatalities and over 2,700 infections in just one week. This outbreak predominantly impacts Khartoum state, where disruptions in water and electricity supply due to ongoing drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have heightened the crisis. Most cases stem from unsafe water sources, forcing citizens to cope with a lack of clean drinking water. The war has further deteriorated already fragile healthcare systems, pushing them to the brink, according to reports from IndiaTimes, Africa News, and Al Jazeera.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has warned that Sudan is on the brink of a public health disaster, with the cholera outbreak further complicating the dire humanitarian situation. The recent health crisis is partly attributed to the return of displaced Sudanese civilians to ravaged cities, stressing already limited resources. According to local sources, drone attacks have compromised the functionality of water sanitation facilities. Medical personnel, such as Joyce Bakker from Doctors Without Borders, have noted the overwhelming surge of patients arriving in distressing conditions, highlighting the urgent need for adequate healthcare responses. This situation has been echoed by both BBC and TRT Global.

The WHO classifies cholera as a highly contagious disease transmitted through contaminated water and food, which can lead to severe dehydration and death if untreated. This ongoing cholera outbreak underscores the consequences of the conflict that erupted in April 2023 and has resulted in more than 20,000 deaths since. The UN now labels Sudan as experiencing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with over 14 million people displaced and in dire need of assistance, as emphasized by reports from BBC and Africa News.

Aid organizations, including UNICEF, are working to address the immediate needs through water treatment programs and vaccination campaigns, having already distributed over 1.6 million oral cholera vaccines. However, experts stress that without substantial and sustained international support, the health crisis in Sudan risks spiraling further out of control. Continuous efforts are being mobilized to improve access to clean water and sanitation, showcasing the urgent need for a coordinated humanitarian response, as noted by TRT Global and Africa News.