Sudan: New cholera outbreak poses an additional existential threat to refugees, warns UNHCR
GENEVA – The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued a warning about a new cholera outbreak in Sudan, marking the second epidemic since the war began sixteen months ago. This outbreak poses an alarming threat to displaced people across the country.
Kristine Hambrouck, the UNHCR representative in Sudan, stated on Friday in Geneva, that “the total number of cholera cases among refugees is 119 in three refugee camps in Kassala province, with five refugees having died from the disease.”
In addition to the cholera outbreak, the UNHCR highlights an increase in waterborne diseases, including malaria and diarrhea. Ongoing fighting, insecurity, and continuous rainfall are also hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid.
In the states of Sennar, Blue Nile, Jazirah, White Nile, Darfur, and Kordofan—home to over 7.4 million refugees and displaced persons in Sudan—access issues have delayed the delivery of essential medicines and humanitarian supplies.
Accordingly, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, and other collaborators, UNHCR is working to enhance surveillance, early warning systems, and contact tracing. The agency is also focused on improving local health services and conducting awareness campaigns to educate communities on how to quickly detect and respond to potential disease outbreaks.
