The decision was made following an emergency meeting of the higher committee for health and humanitarian emergencies in Kassala, eastern Sudan. The campaign aims to enhance disease response, unify efforts across the affected states, and mobilize community participation, particularly in improving environmental sanitation.
The initiative focuses on vaccination, vector control, water purification, and food safety measures. It also includes public awareness programs to educate communities on the dangers of cholera and the importance of hygiene. According to the minister, the campaign seeks to maximize the use of available resources while addressing the urgent need for better sanitation, which has been severely compromised due to ongoing conflict.
Since officially declaring a cholera outbreak last month, Sudan has reported 12,896 cases and 388 deaths. The outbreak has spread to nine states, including Kassala, Khartoum, and Gezira, where deteriorating living conditions and the use of unsafe water have contributed to the crisis. The Health Ministry links the spread of the disease to the environmental fallout from the war, which has crippled the country’s health and sanitation systems.
Ongoing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023 has exacerbated the situation, leading to the spread of multiple epidemics, including malaria, measles, and dengue fever. According to the World Health Organization, the conflict has displaced millions of people and claimed over 20,000 lives, further straining the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
Cholera is a highly contagious infection that spreads through contaminated food and water. The infection can cause acute watery diarrhea and, in severe cases, can be fatal within hours if left untreated.