18-24 May 2025: Cholera in Khartoum and bilharzia in South Darfur…

27 May

Written By Asya Satti

By William Greenwood

A mysterious outbreak of cholera in the Sudanese capital, with 500 cases recorded in a single day

The Sudanese capital is experiencing a rapidly spreading cholera epidemic, with approximately 2,500 cases recorded over the past three weeks, including 500 cases in a single day.
The interruption of electricity and water supplies in large areas of Khartoum state has exacerbated the spread of epidemic diseases, including cholera, with residents are forced to use water from unsafe sources, such as surface wells or water drawn directly from the Nile.
A statement issued by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said that cholera is spreading rapidly in Khartoum state, explaining that the organisation is working with the Ministry of Health to strengthen its efforts and respond to the outbreak.
The statement called on donors, the United Nations, and international non-governmental organisations to urgently scale up efforts to strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene to curb the spread of the disease.

Health sources have revealed an increase in bilharzia cases in the city of Rahid al-Bardi and surrounding areas.
Abdul Aziz Brosh, a member of the board of directors of Rahid al-Bardi Hospital, said that the number of laboratory-confirmed cases has reached 259.
Brosh warned of the lack of medicine in the locality, explaining that the medicines are imported across the border from Chad, and that a package of 1,000 tablets costs 95,000 Egyptian pounds.
He expressed concerns of an increase in infection rates during the rainy season, calling for urgent interventions from relevant authorities and donors in Rahid al-Bardi.

The GSLF announced the secure passage of 17 Relief International employees, who had been carrying out medical work at Zamzam camp, to Tawila, North Darfur State.
The employees were received near the Kuweim area, between El Fasher and Tawila, after having been in the custody of the RSF.
The GSLF stressed that this move comes within the context of its commitment to international humanitarian law and ensuring the protection of humanitarian workers and the continuity of services to those in need.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said that escalating fighting in various areas across Sudan is forcing civilians to flee their homes and seek shelter.
Quoting the International Organization for Migration, the spokesman added that in West Kordofan State, increasing insecurity has forced nearly 47,000 people to flee the towns of Al-Khawi and Al-Nuhud this month.
In North Darfur State, about 1,000 people were displaced from Abu Shouk camp and El Fasher city in the past week alone, bringing the total number of displaced people from these two locations this month to 6,000.
He said that "Although humanitarian workers are doing their best to assist those in need, we reiterate the urgent need for more access and flexible funding” also noting that to date, only $552 million in funding has been received for this year's humanitarian response plan, which requires $4.2 billion.

The Sudanese army announced the discovery of mass graves and detention centres in the Salha area, south of Omdurman, after retaking it from the Rapid Support Forces.
A statement confirmed the deaths of 465 detainees due to neglect and lack of food, water, and medicine, after which they were buried in mass graves.
On April 27, the Sudanese Doctors Network reported that the Rapid Support Forces had executed 31 citizens including children in the Salha area, accusing them of belonging to the army, with their families prevented from burying the bodies for days.