Cholera adds to chaos in Sudan

Sudan, wracked by war and growing famine, faces yet another catastrophe: an unprecedented cholera outbreak. In a country where infrastructure has been destroyed, populations displaced, and access to clean water compromised, this preventable disease is becoming a deadly scourge. The armed conflict, going on for more than two years, has already displaced more than 14 million people and cast entire regions into chaos. This is the context in which cholera is spreading, worsening an already catastrophic humanitarian situation. 

Since the outbreak began in July 2024, more than 83,000 cases have been reported across the country, including more than 2,600 deaths¹. In 2025 alone, there have been more than 32,000 suspected cases. The fatality rate varies by region, reaching up to 7.2% in some areas of Darfur, well above the emergency threshold set by the WHO. Cholera causes severe diarrhea, which can lead to potentially fatal dehydration if left untreated. Children under five, who are particularly affected by malnutrition and the risk of dehydration, are the most vulnerable and represent a significant proportion of those at risk. 

This health crisis is directly related to the war. Attacks on water and electricity infrastructure have deprived millions of people of access to safe drinking water. In camps for displaced persons, overcrowding and a lack of latrines are contributing to the spread of cholera, known as “dirty hands disease,” which is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated water or food. Seasonal rains and flooding further exacerbate the situation by spreading bacteria to populated areas. Lack of funding and insecurity hamper response efforts, leaving millions of people unprotected against the disease. 

Faced with this emergency, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL is fully mobilized, particularly in the most affected areas, such as Tawila (North Darfur). There, nearly half a million people have arrived in five months, creating makeshift camps with particularly precarious living conditions. Our teams have therefore organized distributions of hygiene kits (soap, purification tablets, sanitary pads) to 45% of households in the new camp for displaced persons. However, access to water remains critical: 223,000 people still practice open defecation due to a lack of sufficient latrines. To cover the needs in this area, 65 new boreholes equipped with solar systems are needed, as well as more than 15,500 latrines. Otherwise, cholera could turn into a major health disaster in a country that’s already on its knees. 

Sources :
¹  Sudan:Cholera Operational Update (3 July 2025) | OCHA

Photos: © SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL