UNICEF has issued a dire warning regarding the escalating cholera outbreak in Sudan, particularly within the North Darfur area, advocating for prompt and decisive interventions. As the situation deteriorates, the total number of cholera cases in Darfur as of July 30, 2025, stands at 2,140, with at least 80 fatalities reported.

Sheldon Yett, UNICEF's representative in Sudan, expressed deep concern, stating, “Despite being preventable and easily treatable, cholera is ripping through Tawila and elsewhere in Darfur, threatening children’s lives, especially the youngest and most vulnerable.” The spread of cholera, a disease transmitted through contaminated drinking water and food, is exacerbated by the dire lack of sanitation, clean water, and adequate food facilities in the region.

The backdrop of this health crisis is a severe hunger and famine situation that has been ongoing since early 2024, with child malnutrition rates reaching alarming levels. The ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has further complicated the crisis, disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid and damaging essential health infrastructure.

The war has not only led to the shelling of hospitals and health facilities but has also blocked transportation routes crucial for aid delivery. Over 11 million people have been displaced due to the conflict, with the international community repeatedly urging the conflicting sides to allow safe passage for humanitarian assistance.

The cholera outbreak, which was officially declared in August 2024, has since then spiraled out of control, with more than 50,000 cases confirmed across various regions and over 1,350 deaths. The situation in Sudan remains dire, with UNICEF and other organizations calling for immediate international support to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of the affected populations.

For more detailed information and how to help, please visit the links provided by UNICEF and associated humanitarian agencies actively working on the ground in Sudan.