The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Health Organization (who) have once again sounded the alarm about the deterioration of the health situation caused by the conflict in Sudan.

Edited by| Tony Wild

Humanity  section -  CJ journalist

Sudan conflict news section  

Geneva - September ,19,2023  

UNHCR and the organization issued a joint press release on Tuesday explaining that according to UNHCR teams in White Nile state, more than 1,200 displaced and refugee children under the age of five died in nine camps between May 15 and September 14 due to a deadly combination of suspected measles outbreak and acute malnutrition.

According to the statement, more than 3,100 suspected cases were also reported in the same period, and more than 500 suspected cases of cholera were also reported in other parts of the country, along with outbreaks of dengue fever and malaria, in light of the growing epidemiological danger and challenges in combating epidemics.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said that the world has the means and money to prevent all these deaths caused by measles or malnutrition, adding that "nevertheless, dozens of children die every day as a result of this devastating conflict and lack of global attention".

Grandi stressed that more deaths could be prevented, but money is needed in order to respond, reach those in need and"above all, end the fighting".

According to UNHCR and the World Health Organization, health facilities are under enormous pressure due to a lack of staff, life-saving medicines and vital equipment. Repeated attacks on health facilities since the beginning of the conflict, including on staff, patients and the means of transporting medical supplies, also hamper the provision of Health Services.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: "local health workers, assisted by WHO and partners, are doing everything they can under very difficult conditions and desperately need the support of the international community to prevent further deaths and outbreaks of epidemics.

The UN official called on donors to be generous, and the warring parties to protect health workers and provide health care to all those who need it.

In the city of Al-ranak in South Sudan, humanitarian partners reported increased arrivals of measles-infected children and high rates of malnutrition from Sudan, especially from White Nile state.

More than 5,770 suspected measles cases and 142 deaths have been reported. Children under the age of 5 are the most affected, accounting for almost 70 percent of all cases and 76 percent of all deaths.

The situation is equally worrying in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, where a cholera outbreak is rapidly developing in the Metema region in locations hosting more than 18,000 people who have fled the conflict in Sudan, the statement said.

As of September 12, eight people had died of cholera out of 435 suspected cases reported.

Nearly 13,000 children under the age of five have been found to be acutely malnourished in Chad, while the number of malnourished children admitted to hospitals has increased by 56 percent across Wadai province, which hosts more than 80 percent of refugees, since the beginning of the conflict in Sudan, the two organizations said.

The high prevalence of malnutrition among incoming refugees reflects the extremely dire situation of Darfurians fleeing across the border to Chad, the statement said.

The UNHCR and who statement explained that measles vaccination was provided to children under the age of five in the camps located in the blue and White Nile states, where more than 45,000 children under the age of five were vaccinated.

In Chad, two measles vaccination campaigns reached 1.2 million children. Who and its partners also launched an oral cholera vaccination campaign in Amhara, Ethiopia, last weekend.

MSF has also provided much-needed health supplies across South Sudan, Ethiopia and Chad, including essential medicines, medical supplies for cholera and malnutrition, and tents for mobile health clinics. Reproductive health supplies, mental health care and psychosocial support are also prioritized.