The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has plunged the nation into a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions. With over 10 million people displaced within the country and over half the population facing hunger, the situation is dire. The conflict has had a devastating impact on Sudan’s already fragile health system, crippling infrastructure, including hospitals and water services. The war has created a perfect storm for the resurgence of cholera.
On July 1st, Sudan’s Ministry of Health declared a major cholera outbreak, marking the first since the conflict began. Over 11,000 confirmed cases and 316 deaths have been reported, according to a recent Lancet report. The attack rate stands at 4.4 per 100,000 people, with a case fatality rate of 2.8%. The outbreak has affected both men and women equally, with children under five accounting for 16% of cases.
Experts attribute the cholera resurgence to two key factors: the war’s devastating impact on the health system and the growing influence of climate change. The already fragile health infrastructure, further weakened by the conflict, struggles to cope with the growing burden of disease. Increased human mobility due to displacement has further facilitated the spread of cholera, reaching multiple states including Khartoum, Al Jezirah, Geadref, Red Sea, North Kordofan, Northern, White Nile, Sennar, and River Nile.
The rise in cholera cases in Sudan is unfortunately part of a concerning global trend of deteriorating health conditions in conflict zones. In Gaza, polio has re-emerged after 25 years, a direct consequence of the war’s destruction of medical infrastructure. The destruction of Gaza’s sewage system has led to the accumulation of human waste near densely populated areas, accelerating the spread of the polio virus.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, Russian airstrikes have devastated the country’s energy and health infrastructure, leaving millions vulnerable as winter approaches. A Lancet report last month accused Russia of employing “double-tap” airstrikes – an initial attack followed by a second strike targeting emergency responders and civilians arriving to help. The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented 1,973 attacks on health facilities, transport, staff, and patients in Ukraine since February 2022, the highest number ever recorded in a humanitarian crisis.
The unfolding crises in Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine underscore the devastating impact of conflict on health systems and the urgent need for global action. These conflicts not only threaten the lives of millions but also set back progress towards achieving global health goals. The international community must prioritize humanitarian aid, conflict resolution, and the protection of health systems in conflict zones to prevent further suffering and ensure a healthier future for all.