UNICEF airlifts life-saving vaccines to combat Cholera, other outbreaks in Sudan

A UNICEF-chartered aircraft landed in Port Sudan early this morning carrying 1.4 million doses of oral cholera vaccines. This significant shipment aims to protect vulnerable children amid an ongoing cholera outbreak that has severely impacted the country since July 2024.

According to UNICEF, the outbreak has already claimed approximately 550 lives and led to over 18,000 reported cases across ten states. This latest delivery builds on the 404,000 doses previously sent to Sudan last month, as part of an ambitious immunization campaign targeting 1.81 million people in the most affected regions, including Gedaref, Kassala, and River Nile.

The cholera crisis is compounded by concurrent outbreaks of diseases such as dengue, malaria, and measles, affecting at least 12 of Sudan’s 18 states. Earlier this week, UNICEF also provided nearly 190,000 doses of malaria vaccines to safeguard children against this deadly disease.

“Coming on the heels of war, displacement, and famine, the impact of these epidemics could be catastrophic for children,” warned Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Sudan. “Delivery of the vaccines to health authorities in Sudan and into the arms of communities most at risk is essential for stopping the spread of these deadly diseases.”

Sudan’s healthcare system, already teetering on the brink, faces increased pressure from these ongoing outbreaks, revealing critical weaknesses in sanitation and hygiene infrastructure. The limited availability of safe water and adequate sanitation in overcrowded displacement camps heightens the risk of disease transmission, particularly among children who have never been vaccinated or are suffering from malnutrition.

“We need all hands on deck now to scale up our response, halt the cholera outbreak and other diseases, and protect the most vulnerable children,” Yett added.

In an urgent appeal for assistance, UNICEF is seeking $40 million over the next six months to bolster its efforts in combating famine and disease outbreaks in the affected areas. The call for support underscores the dire need for collective action to safeguard the health and well-being of Sudan’s most at-risk populations.