WHO records hundreds of cholera cases heightened by Sudan humanitarian crisis

Sudan Floods

A man pauses as he looks over his home, damaged by floods in Meroe, north of Khartoum, Sudan, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali) Source: AP / Marwan Ali/AP

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A cholera outbreak is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, after a conflict which broke out in April last year. The World Health Organisation estimates at least 600 people have been infected in the past month, and at least 28 people have died from the disease.


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TRANSCRIPT:

These trucks from the United Nations World Food Programme are crossing the Adre border in Chad . 

They're bringing much needed aid to the war-ravaged West Darfur in Sudan for the first time in six months, after the key border crossing was re-opened.

The UN's Chad spokesperson, Sylvain Barral, says access via this border is critical.

"These are the first trucks in months to cross from Chad into Sudan at the Adre border post. And this is very good news because this corridor is the easiest and the fastest for humanitarian aid to reach populations in critical need in Darfur."

Global monitors say that more than 6 million people face food insecurity across Darfur, which is mostly controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the army's rival in a 16-month war, and that famine has taken hold in North Darfur's Zamzam camp.

The UN's spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, says these deliveries will reach thousands in need.

"WFP says their trucks were carrying sorghum, pulses, oil and rice that will benefit some 13,000 people who are at risk of famine in the Kereneik area of West Darfur. For its part, IOM says the essential relief items delivered to Sudan will support more than 12,000 people in need."

On top of the hunger and the civil war, Sudan is now battling a new crisis: cholera.

It is one of a number of contagious diseases, including conjunctivitis, that are spreading rapidly in Sudan due to the prolonged conflict and conditions.

Representative to Sudan, Dr Shible Sahbani, says estimates vary on the number of cases, but the World Health Organisation believes there have been at least 600 cases recorded since July.

"So, from the 22nd of July till the 22nd of August, one month later, which is basically today, 658 cases were recorded with 28 associated deaths."

He says most cases are occurring in Qadarif and Kassala - where recent flooding is furthering the spread of disease.

Dr Sahbani says they expected some disease outbreaks during the rainy season, with WHO prepositioning supplies.
 
But he says the recent weather has made the situation worse.

"We have certain concerns in Qadarif and Kassala where you know they are facing floods now, which will contribute to the spread of the cholera but also it's hosting a large number of refugees and IDPs in very crowded areas, which will contribute to increasing the risk of the spread of the cholera."

Sudan's sovereign council said last week that it would allow the use of the Adre border crossing with Chad for the next three months - a move long waited by aid agencies.

Stephane Dujarric says the World Food Programme will do what it can to alleviate the hunger of Sudan's displaced people for as long as possible - but it's looking to reach around 8 million people by the end of the year.

"In the meantime, our humanitarian colleagues continue to engage with the Sudanese authorities to facilitate additional trucks coming in the coming days and months. We will need a constant supply of humanitarian goods. It is critical to sustain that flow of food and nutrition assistance into and across Sudan, where more than a dozen areas are either at risk of or in famine."

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