WHO Reports 120 Deaths as Sudan Faces Fresh Cholera Outbreak Amid Ongoing Conflict

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that at least 120 people have died following a new cholera outbreak in Sudan’s West Kordofan state, raising fresh concerns over the country’s worsening humanitarian crisis.

According to the WHO, more than 1,102 suspected cholera cases have been reported since May, with infections spreading across isolated regions affected by the country’s ongoing conflict.

The latest outbreak comes just days after Sudan officially declared a cholera emergency in West Kordofan, a region that has become a major frontline in the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The conflict, now entering its fourth year, has devastated Sudan’s healthcare system, leaving millions without access to essential medical services. Hospitals have been destroyed, medical supplies remain scarce, and humanitarian workers continue to face major challenges in reaching affected communities.

This marks Sudan’s third cholera outbreak in as many years. The previous outbreak, which lasted from July 2024 until March 2026, infected more than 124,400 people and claimed approximately 3,500 lives, according to government figures.

Health officials warn that cholera remains endemic in Sudan but has become increasingly difficult to control because of the prolonged conflict, limited healthcare access, shortages of medical supplies, and restrictions preventing emergency response teams from reaching vulnerable populations.

The situation is expected to worsen as Sudan enters its rainy season in the coming weeks. Flooding often contaminates water sources, increasing the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera while making access to clean drinking water even more difficult for displaced families.

The WHO has also raised concerns over funding shortages, revealing that it has received only about one-third of the financial support required for its emergency operations in Sudan this year. The lack of resources is limiting its ability to provide treatment, vaccines, clean water, and sanitation services in affected communities.

Meanwhile, health authorities say the outbreak may already be spreading beyond West Kordofan. Nearly 300 suspected cases and three deaths have been reported in neighbouring North Kordofan, prompting fears of a wider public health emergency.

The United Nations has also warned that fighting could intensify in the region, with reports suggesting the Rapid Support Forces are preparing a major offensive on El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan. Continued violence is expected to further disrupt humanitarian operations and complicate efforts to contain the disease.

Aid organisations estimate that more than 200,000 people may have been killed since Sudan’s conflict began, while millions have been displaced internally or forced to flee to neighbouring countries.

Health experts continue to urge greater international support, warning that without increased funding, improved humanitarian access, and stronger disease control measures, Sudan could face an even more severe health crisis in the months ahead.