11-17 October 2026 Sudan News Summary: dengue fever outbreak, looming threat from failed rains
Arabic news roundup
By William Greenwood
927 dengue fever cases recorded in Tawila amid warnings of a potential health catastrophe
The General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in the Darfur region announced on Friday that 927 cases of dengue fever have been recorded in the Tawila area of North Darfur state between last September and October 16, warning of a deteriorating health situation and citing a shortage of medicines and the suspension of operations at several health centres.
Large areas across the Darfur region are facing complex humanitarian and health conditions due to the ongoing conflict, which has triggered waves of displacement and a decline in essential services including healthcare, access to food, and clean drinking water.
Adam Rijal, the official spokesperson for the Coordination, stated in a press release that the area is experiencing a surge in illnesses, placing mounting pressure on the Tawila Rural Hospital while the few health facilities that remain operational are struggling with shortages of medicines and medical supplies.
He added that this health crisis is unfolding alongside the spread of malaria, diarrhoeal diseases, and malnutrition - particularly among children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers - amidst deteriorating living conditions exacerbated by displacement, drought, hunger, and food insecurity.
From: Sudan Tribune
UN warns of worsening humanitarian disaster in Sudan due to lack of rainfall
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Denise Brown, has emphasised that a severe lack of rainfall in certain parts of the country is exacerbating the existing humanitarian disaster already faced by millions of Sudanese people.
In a statement, she noted that malnutrition and disease will inevitably follow, further increasing the risks to millions of children who are already suffering the effects of repeated displacement.
Brown stated that the humanitarian community requires the necessary resources to address mounting, acute needs, and warned that without urgent funding, humanitarian food and nutrition stocks are expected to run out by early 2027, leaving vulnerable families without life-saving assistance.
From: Dabanga