Sudan: IRC expands cholera response in Khartoum state as outbreak affects over 60,000 people across the country

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is gravely concerned by the alarming resurgence of cholera in Khartoum State and across Sudan, as the country continues to reel from what is already a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

With conflict raging and health infrastructure in collapse, the Ministry of Health has reported over 60,000 cholera cases and more than 1,600 deaths since August 2024. In the past month alone, hundreds of cases have been reported in Khartoum state.

Eatizaz Yousif, IRC’s Sudan Country Director said: “Sudan is on the brink of a full-scale public health disaster. The combination of conflict, displacement, destroyed critical infrastructure, and limited access to clean water is fueling the resurgence of cholera and other deadly diseases. With the rainy season fast approaching, the need for immediate, coordinated action could not be more urgent. In response, the IRC is scaling up health and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) interventions in Khartoum, focusing on four health care centers. These activities will include training healthcare workers in cholera case management, awareness activities, and support to health centers as well as water, sanitation and hygiene services to ensure infection prevention and control”

The IRC emphasizes that the cholera outbreak is not just a health issue—it is a direct consequence of Sudan’s deteriorating humanitarian situation owing to the ongoing conflict. With vaccination coverage still low and essential supplies dwindling, the IRC calls on the international community to urgently increase support for frontline humanitarian actors working to contain the epidemic and save lives.

Nearly halfway through 2025, 86% of the funding required for Sudan’s humanitarian response plan remains unmet, which means millions of people who are in need of humanitarian aid are going without.

When the conflict began in 2023, the IRC adapted our programs and scaled up the response to address the increased humanitarian needs. Despite immense operational challenges, the IRC continues to provide support in Blue Nile, Gedaref, Khartoum, South Kordofan, River Nile, and White Nile states. IRC also has a logistics and coordination office in Port Sudan and is exploring opportunities to expand our presence into other states.