A cholera epidemic threatens the lives of hundreds of thousands of refugees in Sudan and Chad, worsened by ongoing conflict and inadequate health infrastructure. Containing the outbreak requires urgent priority actions, alongside improved coordination between the WHO, UNHCR, NGOs, and local authorities.
The situation in Sudan and Chad is critical. A cholera epidemic threatens hundreds of thousands of refugees already weakened by the conflict. In Sudanese Darfur and the Iridimi camp in Chad, the lack of access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities is fueling the rapid spread of this highly contagious waterborne disease. According to Dossou Patrice Ahouansou, UNHCR’s Senior Coordinator for Eastern Chad, 230,000 refugees could be at risk if urgent measures are not implemented.
Since July 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded more than 100,000 cases. In the Iridimi camp, 264 people have been infected and 12 deaths confirmed. This health crisis occurs in an already catastrophic context: Sudan has been engulfed in war for more than two years, with over 14 million displaced people and millions more facing famine, epidemics, and violence.
To contain the epidemic, several priority actions are required. Access to drinking water must be ensured immediately through the distribution of treated water and chlorine tablets, as well as the installation of secure supply points. Emergency sanitation infrastructure, such as latrines and waste management systems, must be deployed quickly.
On the medical front, specialized cholera treatment teams must be mobilized. Awareness campaigns, via local radio stations and community outreach, should also encourage essential hygiene practices.
Finally, better coordination between the WHO, UNHCR, NGOs, and local authorities is essential. International advocacy must be undertaken to mobilize funding and secure humanitarian corridors, even in times of conflict.