Sudan Urged to Declare Health Emergency as Conflict Deepens

The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm over a deepening health crisis fueled by ongoing violence, widespread displacement, the collapse of healthcare services, and dire conditions in refugee camps. Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, around 14.5 million people have been displaced—10.5 million within the country and another four million fleeing to neighboring nations such as Egypt, South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia, Libya, and the Central African Republic.

The war has severely damaged critical infrastructure, leading to outbreaks of diseases like cholera and measles. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric warned that intensified fighting and shelling have caused the cholera outbreak in Khartoum state to deteriorate rapidly, with cases surging by 80% in just two weeks.

Dujarric urged for “increased, flexible, and timely funding” to boost the humanitarian response and emphasized the need for unhindered access through all routes to ensure aid workers can reach those in urgent need.