A cholera outbreak in Sudan has killed 120 people, with another 1,102 suspected cases registered since May in isolated war zones, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday, July 1.
Civil war devastates healthcare system
More than three years of civil war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have decimated the country’s healthcare system, creating an environment where preventable waterborne diseases can spread unchecked. The conflict has left roughly 40 percent of Sudan's health facilities completely non-functional, while the remaining 60 percent are only partially operational, according to aid groups.
Third cholera wave in three years
This marks Sudan’s third wave of cholera in as many years, beginning just two months after the previous outbreak was officially declared over in March. Between July 2024 and March 2026, over 124,400 people were infected and 3,500 killed during that prior wave, according to formal government figures.
While cholera used to hit the northeast African country in a cyclic manner every three years, near-continuous outbreaks are now occurring due to the conflict, extreme constraints in humanitarian access, and heavily limited medical supplies. The situation is expected to worsen in the coming weeks with the surge of Sudan's rainy season.
Rainy season exacerbates crisis
Flooding historically causes cholera cases to balloon as millions of displaced persons lack access to clean water, while the rains simultaneously ruin roads and further impede humanitarian rescue operations. The WHO noted that the outbreak is rapidly spreading, following reports of close to 300 suspected cases and three deaths in neighboring North Kordofan.
Outbreak epicenter in West Kordofan
The Sudanese government officially declared the latest outbreak in the flashpoint West Kordofan state, which acts as the dividing line between army and paramilitary zones of control. Constant, deadly drone strikes launched by both factions have made commercial and aid access to the Kordofan region increasingly dangerous, bringing hundreds of thousands of residents to the brink of starvation.
The United Nations has already warned that the RSF is preparing to mount a deadly ground assault on the state capital of El-Obeid. Ongoing drone strikes on that city’s power stations are already disrupting access to lifesaving drinking water and electricity, prompting warnings of mass atrocities from UN humanitarian officials.
War death toll exceeds 200,000
Three years into the civil war, which aid groups estimate may have killed more than 200,000 people, the healthcare system remains in ruins. The combination of conflict, displacement, and lack of clean water continues to fuel the spread of cholera and other preventable diseases.
