The dire situation in Sudan’s refugee camps continues to worsen as over 1,200 children have tragically died from suspected measles and malnutrition, with thousands more, including newborns, at risk of perishing before the end of the year, according to United Nations (U.N.) agencies.
The ongoing conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces, now lasting for more than five months, has devastated the country’s healthcare sector. This crisis is exacerbated by direct attacks on healthcare facilities by the warring parties and critical shortages of medical staff and essential medicines.
Dr. Allen Maina, Chief of Public Health at the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR), stated that since May, more than 1,200 children under the age of five from Ethiopia and South Sudan have lost their lives in nine refugee camps located in White Nile state, which is home to one of Sudan’s larger refugee populations.
Tragically, the grim toll is expected to continue rising as limited resources make it challenging for humanitarian partners to vaccinate refugees, further heightening the risk of deadly epidemics within the camps.
In addition to measles and malnutrition, Sudan is grappling with other health crises, including 3,100 suspected cases of measles and 500 cases of cholera reported across the country during the same period. Furthermore, outbreaks of dengue and malaria have further strained the healthcare system.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 56 verified attacks on healthcare facilities in Sudan since the onset of the conflict. Alarmingly, approximately 70% to 80% of hospitals in conflict-affected regions are now out of service, compounding the suffering of Sudan’s vulnerable population.
The international community is facing a race against time to provide much-needed aid and support to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan’s refugee camps.
