Sudan’s Health Minister, Haitham Ibrahim, declared a cholera epidemic on Saturday, attributing the outbreak to heavy rainfall and contaminated drinking water. The announcement was made in a video released by the health ministry, highlighting the worsening situation in the conflict-ridden country.
“We are declaring a cholera epidemic because of the weather conditions and because drinking water has been contaminated,” Ibrahim stated. The declaration follows collaboration with authorities in the eastern state of Kassala, United Nations agencies, and experts, prompted by the public health laboratory’s discovery of the cholera virus.
The declaration comes amidst a devastating conflict that has engulfed Sudan since April 2023. The war, pitting the Sudanese army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. With over 25 million people, more than half the population, facing acute hunger, the situation continues to deteriorate.
The conflict has been exacerbated by recent heavy rainfall, which has significantly impacted Kassala state. Flooding has displaced thousands and led to an increase in illnesses, including diarrhea, particularly affecting children. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cholera, a disease caused by contaminated food or water, can result in severe dehydration and, if untreated, can lead to death within a few hours.
As of late July, the WHO had recorded 307,433 cholera cases and 2,326 deaths across 26 countries. In Sudan, the ongoing war has severely hampered international humanitarian efforts. Both sides of the conflict have faced allegations of war crimes, including indiscriminate bombardment of populated areas. The war has claimed tens of thousands of lives, with estimates reaching up to 150,000, and displaced more than 10 million people.
Ceasefire negotiations began on Wednesday in Switzerland, mediated by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. However, the Sudanese army’s refusal to participate in the talks and previous failed negotiations in Jeddah have left the conflict unresolved. The United Nations has characterized the crisis in Sudan as the worst humanitarian emergency in recent history, with no signs of improvement.
The declaration of a cholera epidemic adds a critical layer to Sudan’s already dire situation, underscoring the urgent need for international aid and intervention as the country grapples with both war and natural disasters.
Sources By Agencies
