Port Sudan, situated on Sudan’s Red Sea coast, is grappling with a cholera outbreak exacerbated by a shortage of medical supplies as the country remains embroiled in war. A university dormitory, initially housing students, has been repurposed as a shelter for over 1,000 displaced individuals.
Among the displaced is Julia Adam, who lost one of her two daughters to cholera a month ago. Julia expressed concerns about the cleanliness of the shelters, emphasising the need for improved sanitation.
The cholera outbreak in Sudan was declared in Gedaref on September 26th, and since then, over 8,000 suspected cases, including 224 associated deaths, have been reported. The disease has spread to 46 localities in nine states as of December 2023.
Dr. Ahlam Abdullah, the director-general of the Red Sea province health sector at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the challenges faced in providing healthcare services amid the ongoing war. With 70% of the health system in Sudan out of service due to conflicts and the destruction of healthcare facilities, the ability to address the cholera outbreak and other health issues is severely hampered.
Sudan’s war, which began in mid-April, has displaced more than 7 million people, with over 1.5 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, according to U.N. figures. The dire humanitarian situation, coupled with the cholera outbreak, underscores the urgent need for international assistance to address health challenges in the region.