Published on 27/12/2023
Amid the ongoing war in Sudan, Port Sudan, situated on the Red Sea coast, grapples with a worsening Cholera Outbreak exacerbated by a scarcity of medical supplies.
The terrible situation has forced authorities to convert a university dorm meant for students into a shelter, providing accommodation for over 1,000 displaced individuals.
Among those seeking refuge is Julia Adam, who tragically lost one of her daughters to cholera a month ago. She recounts the challenges within the shelter, emphasizing concerns about cleanliness. Julia expresses fear and emphasizes the need for collective efforts to maintain hygiene, noting that not everyone among the displaced is diligent in this regard.
Reports indicate that since Sudan declared a cholera outbreak in Gedaref on September 26, over 8,000 suspected cases have emerged, resulting in 224 associated deaths. The disease has now spread to 46 localities across nine states as of December 2023.
Dr. Ahlam Abdullah, the director-general of the Red Sea province health sector at the Ministry of Health, highlights the significant strain on Sudan’s health system due to wars and the destruction of healthcare facilities.
Approximately 70% of the health system is currently out of service, posing a considerable challenge in providing adequate services to the displaced population in Port Sudan. Dr. Abdullah points to limited service delivery times, a shortage of medicines, and difficulties in treating various diseases, including severe cases of diarrhoea.
Sudan’s war, which commenced in mid-April, has led to the displacement of more than 7 million people, with over 1.5 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries, according to U.N. figures.
As the war rages on, the urgent need for international assistance becomes crucial to addressing both the health crisis and the broader humanitarian challenges faced by the affected population in Port Sudan.
