By Ayomide Otitoju
The conflict in Sudan has reached its 1,000th day, leaving more than 20 million people in need of health assistance and 21 million facing acute food insecurity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Nearly three years of sustained violence, restricted access, and dwindling funding have turned Sudan into the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis. An estimated 33.7 million people are expected to require humanitarian aid this year.
The country’s health system has been decimated by ongoing fighting, targeted attacks on healthcare facilities, mass displacement, shortages of medical supplies, and a lack of personnel and funding. Despite WHO and partner efforts to restore services, more than a third of health facilities (37%) remain non-functional, leaving millions without essential and lifesaving care.
Since the conflict began in April 2023, WHO has verified 201 attacks on health care, resulting in 1,858 deaths and 490 injuries. These assaults, which breach international humanitarian law, continue to threaten patients, caregivers, and health workers.
“One thousand days of conflict in Sudan have driven the health system to the brink of collapse,” said WHO Representative in Sudan, Dr. Shible Sahbani. “People face a devastating situation under the strain of disease, hunger, and lack of basic services. WHO is saving lives and rebuilding the health system wherever possible, but challenges remain enormous.”
The scale of displacement is unprecedented, with 13.6 million people uprooted, marking Sudan as the world’s largest displacement crisis. Overcrowding, poor living conditions, disrupted health and sanitation services, and halted immunization campaigns have fueled outbreaks of cholera, dengue, malaria, and measles. Cholera has been reported in all 18 states, dengue in 14 states, and malaria in 16 states. Access to preventive and curative care, including treatment for chronic conditions and severe malnutrition, remains limited.
WHO has worked closely with Sudan’s Federal and State Ministries of Health and humanitarian partners to deliver critical support. Since April 2023, the agency has distributed 3,378 metric tons of medicines and medical supplies worth around US$40 million to 48 health partners. Efforts include cholera vaccination campaigns reaching 24 million people, the rollout of malaria vaccines, treatment for over 112,400 children with severe acute malnutrition, and care for more than 3.3 million patients through hospitals, primary health facilities, and mobile clinics. Public health laboratories have also been strengthened to detect and respond to outbreaks.
“As the conflict renders areas like Darfur and Kordofan inaccessible, health needs continue to rise,” Dr. Sahbani added. “Humanitarian partners urgently need safe, unimpeded access and increased funding to prevent the crisis from worsening.”
WHO has called on all parties to the conflict to pursue a ceasefire and peace for the people of Sudan.
