Sudan is facing a spiraling cholera crisis, with more than 1,000 new cases reported daily in Khartoum alone, as the collapse of infrastructure due to civil war accelerates the spread of the deadly disease.

The outbreak, described by Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) as fast-moving and severe, is centered in Khartoum and Omdurman—cities left devastated by fighting between the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Clean water is scarce, and sanitation systems are broken. “The lack of hygiene and medical access is fueling a major health disaster,” said MSF’s mission head Nicolas Jean.

Cholera has now spread beyond the capital to North Kordofan, Sennar, Gazira, White Nile, and Nile River states.

Health System Collapse Deepens Humanitarian Crisis

With 80% of hospitals out of service and the remaining facilities suffering severe shortages of medicine, water, and electricity, the healthcare system is unable to cope. Displaced people returning to Khartoum are finding their homes in ruins, without access to safe drinking water.

“The war has made cholera an epidemic of poverty and neglect,” said Dr. Sayed Mohamed Abdullah of the Sudanese Doctors’ Union.

Cholera Threat Grows Amid Global Vaccine Shortage

The World Health Organization reports that the global stockpile of oral cholera vaccines has fallen below 5 million doses, limiting emergency response efforts. Cholera, caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, can kill within hours if untreated but is easily managed with rehydration therapy—if care is available.

Sudan’s cholera surge adds to a global trend of rising outbreaks linked to conflict, poverty, and climate disasters like floods and droughts, the UN warned.

Civil War and Humanitarian Collapse

Since the Sudanese civil war erupted in April 2023, at least 24,000 people have died, and over 14 million have been displaced. More than 4 million have fled to neighboring countries. Famine has been declared in parts of Darfur, compounding the collapse of public health and sanitation.