A cholera outbreak in war-torn Sudan has claimed the lives of at least 388 people and infected around 13,000 individuals in the past two months. The ongoing conflict between the military and a notorious paramilitary group has exacerbated the situation, with no signs of abating after more than 17 months of fighting.
The disease is rapidly spreading in areas that have been severely affected by recent heavy rainfall and floods, particularly in eastern Sudan where millions of war-displaced individuals have sought shelter.
Cholera, a highly contagious infection, causes severe dehydration and can lead to death within hours if left untreated. The World Health Organization states that the disease is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food or water.
This is not the first cholera outbreak in Sudan, as a previous major incident in 2017 resulted in at least 700 deaths and 22,000 illnesses in less than two months.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in April last year, leading to widespread devastation in urban areas like Khartoum. The violence has been characterized by atrocities such as mass rape and ethnically motivated killings, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly in the western region of Darfur.
The United Nations and international rights groups estimate that the conflict has claimed the lives of at least 20,000 people and left tens of thousands wounded. However, activists believe the actual toll is much higher.
The war has triggered the world's largest displacement crisis, with over 13 million people forced to flee their homes since the conflict began. More than 2.3 million individuals have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
In addition to the conflict, Sudan is grappling with devastating seasonal floods that have further compounded the humanitarian crisis. The floods have resulted in at least 225 fatalities, 900 injuries, and the destruction or damage of over 76,000 houses.
Furthermore, famine was declared in July in the Zamzam camp for displaced individuals near North Darfur's capital, al-Fasher. Global experts warn that more than half of Sudan's population, approximately 25.6 million people, will face acute hunger this year.
Meanwhile, fighting continues in al-Fasher, the last major city in Darfur under military control. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias recently launched an attack on the city, which was repelled by military forces with the assistance of rebel groups, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of RSF fighters, including two senior commanders.
