In Sudan, more than 430 people have died from cholera in just the past month, according to the health ministry. The ongoing civil war has made the situation much worse, with around 14,000 people now infected.
The ministry has stated that they are doing everything possible to tackle cholera in the areas affected, despite the rise in cases【BBC】.
The conflict in Sudan has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with estimates of up to 150,000 deaths since the war started last year.
This makes it incredibly challenging to deliver medical aid to those in need. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has reported that they face regular obstacles from both sides of the conflict, meaning the response to the cholera outbreak is far below what is actually required【BBC】.
Cholera is a serious and highly contagious illness that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration, which can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Although it is relatively easy to cure with prompt treatment, time is of the essence. The Sudanese Health Minister, Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim, declared a cholera outbreak in mid-August【BBC】.
The outbreak has been made worse not only by the war but also by heavy rains and flooding, which have led to overcrowding in displacement camps.
Esperanza Santos, MSF’s emergency coordinator for Sudan, described the combination of these factors as a “perfect storm” for the spread of cholera. To help control the outbreak, some areas have had to close schools, markets, and stores【BBC】.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c748nk5pjdjo