Cholera Outbreak Worsens in War-Torn Darfur as Humanitarian Access Remains Limited

Cholera Outbreak Worsens in War-Torn Darfur as Humanitarian Access Remains Limited
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A cholera outbreak in Sudan’s Darfur region has infected over 2,100 people and caused at least 80 deaths, including 20 in Tawila town alone, according to a report by UNICEF. Tawila, which has received more than half a million displaced people since conflict erupted in April 2023, has recorded over 1,180 cases—300 of them children.

Overcrowded camps, poor sanitation, and limited access to clean water have fueled the disease’s spread. Many hospitals remain closed or destroyed due to ongoing fighting, with Tawila located just 70 kilometers from the besieged city of El Fasher.

UNICEF warns the outbreak is particularly dangerous for malnourished children, with more than 640,000 under-fives in North Darfur at risk. The crisis is compounded by famine in multiple locations, a collapsed health system, and Sudan’s ongoing exposure to climate shocks such as droughts and floods.

Since the outbreak was declared in August 2024, over 94,000 cases and 2,370 deaths have been reported across 17 states. UNICEF is scaling up emergency aid, including safe water, hygiene kits, and plans to distribute 1.4 million cholera vaccines. However, the agency urgently needs $30.6 million in funding and calls for unhindered humanitarian access to affected areas.