Sudan cholera outbreak: update

The cholera outbreak in southern Sudan continues to worsen, with at least 70 dead and more than 2200 infected. The outbreak is in the White Nile state capital Kosti and was mainly caused by the destruction of the Um Dabakar power station, which disrupted local access to clean water. According to Save the Children, which reports data from the Sudanese health ministry, there have been over 2200 cholera cases in Kosti between February 20 and 26, including many children. The average is about 400 cases per day. Since August 2024, Sudan has recorded 55,000 cholera cases and over 1400 deaths, with a crippled healthcare system unable to cope with the emergency due to the ongoing civil war. At least 80% of hospitals are out of service while those still functioning have limited resources. Mohamed Abdiladif, Save the Children’s country director for Sudan, said hundreds of children in White Nile state are at risk and emphasised the “devastating impact” of violence, disease, and hunger on the country’s young population.