Hunger crisis deepens as warring factions block aid access in Sudan
- In December 2023, South Sudan reported a rapid escalation of cholera cases, reaching 1,526 suspected and confirmed cases, primarily in Malakal.
- The outbreak has been exacerbated by poor sanitation and limited access to safe drinking water, amidst an ongoing conflict that impedes humanitarian efforts.
- With over 850,000 refugees entering from Sudan, the healthcare infrastructure faces immense pressure, highlighting critical public health challenges.
South Sudan is facing a severe cholera outbreak, which has continued to escalate rapidly since the first suspected case was detected in late October 2023. As of early December, Doctors Without Borders has reported a total of 1,526 suspected and confirmed cases, particularly concentrated in Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile state. The outbreak is driven by poor sanitation and lack of access to safe drinking water, with humanitarian efforts hampered by ongoing conflicts that restrict aid groups' access to affected areas. The situation remains critical, with notable risks of further spread to neighboring areas like Tonga and Kodok, compounding the challenges faced in an already fragile healthcare system. Meanwhile, over 850,000 refugees and returnees have crossed into South Sudan from Sudan over the previous 18 months due to the ongoing conflict, adding further strain on local resources and health services. The United Nations has been working to address this public health crisis by securing cholera vaccines, but the increasing influx of vulnerable populations will likely continue to overburden the situation.