A deadly cholera outbreak has swept across Sudan’s Darfur region, killing at least 80 people and infecting more than 2,100 others, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). In a statement released on Sunday and reported by Anadolu, UNICEF revealed that since June 21, 20 deaths and 1,180 cases have been recorded in the town of Tawila in North Darfur State alone.

Cholera is a highly contagious disease that can kill within hours if left untreated. It spreads through contaminated food and water, posing a serious threat in areas with poor sanitation and overcrowding. In South Sudan, where conflict and instability have displaced many into camps with limited clean water, the risk of outbreaks is especially high.

While cholera can be treated easily and cheaply with oral rehydration salts, the real problem is access to healthcare, which has long been a problem in Sudan, worsened by aid cuts. 

“Across the five Darfur States, the total cholera caseload as of 30 July has reached nearly 2,140, with at least 80 fatalities,” the agency reported. UNICEF warned that more than 640,000 children in North Darfur are now at heightened risk, not only from cholera but also from widespread hunger and violence.

“Despite being preventable and easily treatable, cholera is ripping through Tawila and elsewhere in Darfur, threatening children’s lives, especially the youngest and most vulnerable,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF’s representative in Sudan.

Violence undermines health response

Efforts to contain the outbreak are underway, but ongoing violence continues to hamper aid delivery. “The relentless violence is increasing the needs faster than we can meet them,” Yett said, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

He issued an appeal for humanitarian access: “We need safe, unimpeded access to urgently turn the tide and reach these children in need. They cannot wait a day longer.”

According to UN figures, over 94,170 suspected cholera cases and more than 2,370 deaths have been reported in 17 of Sudan’s 18 states since August 2024.

Charity blames US aid cuts for fatal cholera claiming children's lives

The cholera outbreak, which began in 2024, has already infected tens of thousands across South Sudan. However, the country’s ability to respond has been severely hindered by funding cuts and a weakened healthcare system. The fatalities occurred in the eastern part of the country, where the outbreak has been especially intense and where many health centers have been forced to close due to a lack of support.

Many Cholera deaths in South Sudan are going unreported. The true scale of the disaster is being hidden due to the lack of resources and access to accurate reporting mechanisms. The lack of data and oversight also makes it harder to mobilize the international community.

Those who died had to walk for hours under the scorching sun to reach the nearest health facility still in operation, many of which are overwhelmed and lacking in supplies. Their deaths highlight just how vital accessible healthcare is, especially during major health crises. The brunt of these aid cuts is being borne by the most vulnerable, people who simply cannot manage the dangerous journey to get the help they need.

Grueling journey for treatment

The victims of cholera, all from the eastern regions of South Sudan, endured a painful and lengthy journey in search of medical care. These individuals were part of a larger group left with no choice but to try to reach treatment after many health clinics were shut down.

Cholera spreads rapidly in areas with poor sanitation, and its dangers are heightened when treatment is delayed. The disease causes severe dehydration and can kill within hours without proper medical intervention.

Back in May, Save the Children described the situation as becoming increasingly critical, with many people being in desperate need of care and unable to access any medical help. The charity stressed that the shortage of aid and health facilities has significantly worsened the risks for people in South Sudan. What was once a situation that could be managed with timely treatment has now escalated into a deadly crisis.

Impact of US aid cuts

In January, these cuts forced 7 out of 27 health facilities supported by Save the Children in Akobo County to shut down completely. Meanwhile, 20 other health centers were forced to cut down their operations, exacerbating an already dire health crisis.

Some remaining clinics are operating with severely limited resources and are now managed by volunteers, many of whom lack the training and supplies needed to handle large numbers of patients effectively. 

A devastating consequence of these cuts is the inability to transport patients to hospitals in a country already struggling with inadequate infrastructure and limited healthcare. 

At the time, Christopher Nyamandi, Save the Children’s country director for South Sudan, recounted his visit to a clinic in Akobo County shortly after the aid cuts were implemented. He observed that tents meant to accommodate 25 patients were packed with hundreds, forcing many individuals to sleep outside. This overcrowding significantly heightened the risk of additional health issues for those already suffering.

Many cholera patients, who were already dealing with severe dehydration, had no choice but to sleep outside, exposed to the intense heat and the threat of mosquito-borne diseases. The overcrowding, lack of proper shelter, and limited medical care created a hazardous and unsanitary environment for those in need of treatment.

Changes to US foreign aid structure                            

The reduction in US aid is part of a broader change in American foreign policy led by US President Donald Trump. The Department of Government Efficiency has overseen major cuts to the US Agency for International Development, the main agency responsible for American foreign aid. These cuts have had serious consequences, particularly for countries like South Sudan, which depend heavily on international support.

By mid-August, the State Department is expected to take over the remaining duties of USAID. This transition has sparked concern about the future of US foreign aid, particularly in crisis-prone regions like South Sudan, where American funding has been crucial for health and humanitarian efforts.

The restructuring has created uncertainty about how effective future aid programs will be. As funding is reduced or shifted, many nonprofits and local agencies are struggling to fill the gaps left behind. This policy shift is likely to have a lasting impact on global humanitarian efforts.

The outbreak unfolds against the backdrop of a brutal conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023. The fighting has killed over 20,000 people and displaced 14 million, according to UN and local sources. Independent research from US academic institutions suggests the true death toll may be closer to 130,000.

Read next: Aid groups warn of mass starvation in Sudan as global support wanes