Doctors Without Borders raises the alarm in Sudan

Follow-up- Wijdan Talha- The Secretary-General of the Doctors Without Borders Organization, Christopher Luxier, warned of serious dangers that may result from the outbreak of epidemic diseases in Sudan during the coming period, due to the almost complete collapse of the health system, in addition to the outbreak of cholera, measles and dengue fever.

Luxer said, according to Al -Sharq Al -Awsat newspaper, that the deterioration of sewage services, the disruption of routine vaccination campaigns, and the difficulty of accessing clean water, are all factors that contribute to the exacerbation of the humanitarian situation.

He added that the rainy season, which coincides with the scarcity of food and the peak of diseases, is a candidate to increase the complexity of the health crisis, and raise the risk of spreading diseases transmitted with water and insects, in parallel with high food insecurity.

Luxer pointed out that more than 13 million people were displaced inside the country, while half of the population faces a severe lack of food security, and he said: “These conditions prepare the ground to spread the epidemics widely, unless it is carried out by urgent and large -scale humanitarian interventions.”

Cholera out of control

On the outbreak of cholera, Luxier explained that it is difficult to obtain a comprehensive picture of the size of the injuries; Cases were reported in several states, including South Darfur. He pointed out that many of the injured do not seek treatment in health facilities; Because of the difficulty of accessing them and the lack of medical services, it complicates response efforts and keeps real numbers unknown.

He explained that the state of Khartoum witnessed a sharp rise in the number of injuries in the second half of May 2025; Because of the absence of operating health facilities and the widespread power outages, especially in the city of Omdurman; What led to the failure of the population to reach clean water. According to the Ministry of Health, the number of cases reached about 1,000 injuries per day at the end of May, before the numbers started to decline gradually, and Luxer explained that “Doctors Without Borders” is working closely with the Ministry of Health to enhance the efforts to address cholera, indicating that the organization supported several units for cholera in the state of Khartoum, as well as creating points for re -moisturizing, enhancing monitoring teams and medical transfers, and implementing community awareness campaigns.

Restrictions on humanitarian organizations

Luxer said that the field conditions after more than two years of war are still catastrophic, noting that organizations face great challenges in providing medical care, as a result of administrative restrictions, lack of financing, scarcity of medical supplies, and difficulty in reaching affected areas. For example, by interruption of routine vaccination campaigns; Which led to the prevalence of preventive diseases among children, such as a group.

He warned of the dangers of new epidemics in the conflict -affected areas, pointing to the outbreak of measles in Darfur, and the sharp rise in cholera cases in the state of Khartoum and other regions. He emphasized the continued attacks on humanitarian missions and civil infrastructure, including health facilities, water and electricity stations. He explained that, in October 2024, the World Health Organization estimated that 70 to 80 percent of Sudan health facilities are barely operating as a result of direct attacks, a lack of cadres, and the lack of supplies. He said: “In some areas, it is very difficult to find a health center that works effectively and includes qualified cadres and basic medicines.”

Deterioration

Luxer described the humanitarian situation in Sudan as “catastrophic”, citing United Nations estimates, and said that more than 13 million displaced people, most of whom live in overcrowded and unhealthy conditions, with severe limited access to basic services.

He called on international organizations to intensify their interventions, overcome bureaucratic barriers, and store supplies in advance before the situation worsens more. He also warned that the attacks on the electricity infrastructure lead to the interruption of water pumping stations; What compels the residents to use unsafe water sources, and increases the risk of water -transferred diseases such as cholera. He said: «(Doctors Without Borders) is currently implementing preventive measures, which include improving water and sanitation infrastructure, and the implementation of health awareness campaigns in the affected areas.

Warning from a disaster on the horizon

Regarding the Darfur region, Luxer said that the health situation there, especially in North Darfur, is getting worse quickly. He explained that Zamzam camp, which was the largest site for the displaced in Sudan and includes more than half a million people, was subjected to a wide attack in April 2025, after a full year of siege and starvation. He added that the camp is now almost empty, and the organization’s teams were forced to leave last February. He pointed out that reaching health care in Darfur is very limited due to the insecurity and the damage of infrastructure and roads, explaining that the human presence is still limited, as only some United Nations agencies and a few NGOs work.

Luxer stressed that “MSF” continues to provide basic emergency and health care services, especially in the fields of motherhood, child care, and nutrition, despite security and logistical challenges. Luxer said again that Sudan is facing a complex humanitarian and health catastrophe, which requires a quick international response, stressing that the failure of the international community to move may lead to the outbreak of destructive epidemics throughout the country, especially in the areas most affected by the conflict and displacement.

Source: Al -Sharq Al -Awsat newspaper