UN Raises Concerns of Disease Outbreaks in Conflict-Affected Sudan
By Daniel Itai
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan (UN OCHA) has expressed grave concerns about an increased risk of water-borne and vector-borne disease outbreaks in Sudan.
According to UN OCHA, the ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for nearly three months since mid-April have had a severe impact on the well-being of the people.
“With the onset of the rainy season, there is a heightened risk of water-borne and vector-borne diseases outbreaks compounded by challenges in waste management in Khartoum and other conflict-affected states, posing significant health risks. The interruption of vector control efforts to contain dengue fever and malaria is concerning. Reports of severe acute malnutrition, dengue, measles, and acute watery diarrhea cases are being received by the World Health Organization from different states,” stated UN OCHA.
Furthermore, UN OCHA highlighted that access to healthcare continues to be limited due to the conflict, shortages of supplies, damage to facilities, and assaults on medical staff.
The UN OCHA also noted that challenges, including insecurity, bureaucratic access impediments, and looting of humanitarian supplies, are hindering the delivery of assistance on a large scale.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in Sudan, as of July 5th, at least 1,136 people have reportedly been killed, 12,000 injured, and over 3 million people displaced due to the conflict.