A large-scale cholera vaccination campaign has been launched across several localities in Darfur, aiming to protect more than 1.86 million people aged one year and above from the rapidly spreading outbreak.
The campaign began on September 21 in Nyala Ganoub, Nyala Shemal, and Biliel in South Darfur, and expanded a day later to Abu Jabra and Ad Daein in East Darfur. Plans are also underway to extend it to Tawila in North Darfur before the end of the month.
Health officials warn the initiative comes at a critical time, as cholera cases in Darfur continue to rise amid ongoing conflict, shortages of basic services, and limited access to clean water and sanitation. Since May 29, when the first case was reported in South Darfur, the disease has spread to 36 localities across all five Darfur states, resulting in 12,739 infections and 358 deaths. Nationally, Sudan has recorded more than 113,000 cases and over 3,000 deaths since July 2024, marking the country’s longest outbreak in history.
Dr. Shible Sahbani, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Sudan, emphasized the urgency of the campaign.
“WHO teams in Darfur are working tirelessly with health partners to provide the technical and operational support needed to protect vulnerable populations. The people of Darfur, and the rest of Sudan, must be shielded from disease and suffering, and we are here to do exactly that,” he said.
A total of 1.86 million vaccine doses have been mobilized through cross-border and crossline operations. WHO, UNICEF, and Sudan’s Ministry of Health collaborated to deliver the oral cholera vaccines despite severe access and transport challenges.
The 10-day campaign, coordinated by Sudan’s Ministry of Health with support from WHO and UNICEF, seeks to reach 97% of residents in six targeted localities. Efforts include disease surveillance, rapid treatment, improved water and sanitation services, and community engagement to interrupt transmission.
Vaccines were supplied by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision, comprising WHO, UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Médecins Sans Frontières, with financial backing from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
