Cholera Outbreak in Sudan’s Khartoum State Puts Over One Million Children at Risk
A severe cholera outbreak in Khartoum State, Sudan, has resulted in more than 7,700 reported cases and 185 deaths since January 2025, with over 1,000 cases affecting children under five, according to health authorities.
The escalating crisis threatens the health of over one million children living in the affected areas, according to an article published on Reliefweb.com. The outbreak has worsened amid ongoing conflict that has displaced more than 3 million people in Khartoum State. Although some 34,000 people have returned to damaged homes this year, access to basic services such as clean water and sanitation remains critically limited. Recent attacks on power plants have disrupted electricity and water supplies, forcing families to rely on unsafe water sources, which has driven a sharp rise in cholera cases—from 90 cases per day to 815 daily between May 15 and 25.
Two localities, Jebel Aulia and Khartoum, face famine risk and account for one-third of the 307,000 acutely malnourished children in the state, including 26,500 suffering severe acute malnutrition. Malnutrition increases vulnerability to cholera and other deadly diseases.
UNICEF, working with Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health, is implementing a multi-faceted response. Efforts include supplying over 1.6 million oral cholera vaccines, distributing water treatment chemicals, deploying rapid response teams, supporting water infrastructure, and training health workers. UNICEF also runs 105 outpatient nutrition programs and four stabilization centers to address malnutrition and provide lifesaving care.
