Cholera Outbreak in Sudan Claims 70 Lives Amid Civil War Crisis

The cholera outbreak in southern Sudan has resulted in at least 70 deaths and over 2,200 infections, primarily in Kosti. This crisis is exacerbated by the ongoing civil war, which has severely impacted the healthcare system and access to clean water. UNICEF has reported concerning statistics regarding cholera cases, particularly among children, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

A severe cholera outbreak has recently claimed the lives of at least 70 individuals and infected over 2,200 others in southern Sudan, particularly in Kosti, as reported by Save the Children citing local health data. The outbreak is reportedly connected to a drone strike that disrupted access to clean water at the Um Dabakar power station, located 275 kilometers south of Khartoum.

The ongoing civil conflict in Sudan, which has persisted for nearly two years, has severely incapacitated the country’s healthcare system, leaving tens of thousands dead and more than 12 million individuals displaced. Save the Children indicated that approximately 2,243 cases of cholera were reported in Kosti from February 20 to 26, averaging about 400 cases daily.

Since the beginning of the cholera outbreak in August of the previous year, Sudan has documented over 55,000 cases with upwards of 1,400 fatalities. The United Nations children’s agency, UNICEF, highlighted that about 2,700 cases have emerged in White Nile from January 1 to February 25, including more than 500 children.

Sheldon Yett, UNICEF’s representative in Sudan, emphasized the dire situation, stating, “The continued destruction of critical humanitarian infrastructure has left no child safe in this war. If children are denied access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation services, as well as information on preventing the spread of cholera, the outbreak will unfortunately continue.” The country’s civil war, which commenced in April 2023, has devastated medical facilities, with approximately 80% of hospitals now non-operational and those that remain functioning facing critical shortages of medical supplies.

In summary, Sudan is currently facing a devastating cholera outbreak linked to the country’s ongoing civil war, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread infections. The humanitarian crisis has severely affected the healthcare system, complicating access to essential services such as clean water, hygiene, and medical care, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children.

Original Source: www.newarab.com