The UN agency has revealed alarming statistics regarding attacks on health facilities in Sudan, noting that the country has the highest global percentage of deaths linked to such attacks, violating international humanitarian law.
In a discussion with Abdelmonem Makki from UN News, Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative in Sudan, outlines the severity of the situation and how the organization is aiding the country’s health authorities and citizens.
Shible Sahbani: The conflict began in April 2023, and in a few days, it will reach 1,000 days. During this time, Sudan has faced a rapidly worsening humanitarian, security, displacement, and famine-like crisis, along with a health crisis.
Sudan’s climate and conditions favor the spread of malaria and dengue fever through mosquitoes. Outbreaks of measles and polio, preventable by vaccines, are being reported in many states.
Health facilities are being attacked, and there are shortages of medicines and supplies, along with insufficient financial and human resources to maintain health services, pushing the system towards collapse.
Sudan, once considered the regional breadbasket, now faces one of the world’s worst food crises: over 21 million people experience severe acute malnutrition and food insecurity. Children under five and pregnant or breastfeeding women are particularly vulnerable, with nearly 800,000 children under five expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition by 2025.
UN News: How is WHO supporting Sudanese health authorities?
Shible Sahbani: The World Health Organization (WHO) coordinates the health response with the Ministry of Health and partners. We provide expertise and technical support, along with capacity building for epidemics, malnutrition, non-communicable diseases, and mental health. Since the war began, WHO has delivered about 3,000 tons of medical supplies, valued at roughly $33.3 million. We also provided cash assistance to unpaid health workers and fuel to power health facilities.
UN Info: UNICEF reports that vaccination rates in Sudan are at their lowest in 40 years, with thousands of children missing vaccines. What risks does this pose to Sudanese children?
Shible Sahbani: The decline in vaccination coverage is a major reason for the spread of diseases like measles, diphtheria, and polio. Malnutrition and other health issues weaken children’s immunity, severely endangering their lives and futures.
UN News: Can the health crisis be prevented from worsening?
Shible Sahbani: Sudan must recover swiftly. It’s a large, densely populated country with immediate needs. We also need to bolster the health system. We’re collaborating with the government on a strategy for rapid recovery, development, and resilience-building.
The east remains stable, unaffected directly by the war, but the influx of displaced people is straining health facilities. The west, especially Kordofan and Darfur, faces bombings and security challenges, hindering health service access. The central region, including Al-Jazeera, Khartoum, and Sennar, was severely impacted by the war but is now accessible.
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