Cholera Outbreak in Sudan Claims 70 Lives Amid Ongoing Conflict

In southern Sudan, a cholera outbreak has claimed 70 lives and infected over 2,200 people within a week, according to Save the Children. The situation is worsened by ongoing civil conflict that has disrupted healthcare services and access to clean water. UNICEF notes that many of the affected individuals are children, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian support in the region.

A cholera outbreak in southern Sudan has led to at least 70 fatalities and over 2,200 reported infections within a week, according to Save the Children, referencing data from the health ministry. The outbreak is primarily affecting the city of Kosti in White Nile state, which was exacerbated by a drone strike that disrupted access to clean water at the Um Dabakar power station, located 275 kilometers south of Khartoum.

This troubling development comes amid a severe civil war in Sudan, which has persisted for nearly two years, resulting in significant casualties and the displacement of over 12 million people. Save the Children notes that the health ministry affiliated with the army has reported approximately 2,243 cholera cases, averaging around 400 new cases each day in Kosti, alongside the 70 deaths recorded from February 20 to 26.

Since the beginning of the cholera outbreak in August of the previous year, Sudan has documented more than 55,000 cases along with over 1,400 related deaths. According to UNICEF, 2,700 cholera cases have surfaced in the White Nile region between January 1 and February 25, with more than 500 cases affecting children. Sheldon Yett, UNICEF’s representative to Sudan, emphasized the dire situation for children amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis, highlighting the urgent need for clean water and sanitation facilities.

The ongoing conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has severely damaged Sudan’s healthcare system, leaving approximately 80 percent of hospitals nonoperational. Those facilities that remain open are facing acute shortages of medical supplies, further jeopardizing the health of the population, particularly the most vulnerable groups such as children.

The cholera outbreak in southern Sudan has resulted in significant health crises amid an ongoing civil war, illustrating the dire need for humanitarian assistance and infrastructure repair. With thousands of infections reported and many fatalities, urgent actions are required to ensure access to clean water and healthcare services to mitigate the widespread impact of this outbreak. The testimonies from organizations like Save the Children and UNICEF underscore the critical conditions faced by affected communities.

Original Source: www.newarab.com