Sudan is grappling with a severe cholera outbreak that has claimed at least 22 lives, with 11,327 cases reported as of August 18, 2024.

The situation has been exacerbated by heavy rains and flooding since June, creating conditions conducive to the rapid spread of the disease.

The United Nations has raised alarms about the health risks facing Sudan's children, estimating that 3.4 million are at heightened risk of epidemic diseases, including cholera.

In response, UNICEF has been actively involved in delivering vaccines to combat the outbreak. On October 5, 2024, a UNICEF-chartered plane arrived in Port Sudan carrying 1.4 million doses of oral cholera vaccines.

This shipment adds to the 404,000 doses delivered in September, aiming to vaccinate 1.81 million people in the hardest-hit states: Gedaref, Kassala, and River Nile.

Despite these efforts, Sudan's ongoing conflict and fragile healthcare system continue to hinder disease control measures, worsening the humanitarian crisis. The escalation of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has limited access to health services, with 70-80% of health facilities in the worst-affected areas now non-functional.

The international community remains concerned about the situation, emphasizing the need for immediate and sustained efforts to control the outbreak and address the underlying challenges contributing to its spread. (ILKHA)