1,000 days of war deepens the world's worst health and humanitarian crisis

Today, the conflict in Sudan reaches its 1000th day, more than 20 million people are in need of health care and 21 million are in desperate need of food.

Nearly three years of unrelenting violence, severe access restrictions and reduced funding have turned Sudan into the world's worst humanitarian crisis. An estimated 33.7 million people will need humanitarian assistance this year.

The health system has been severely damaged by ongoing fighting, increasingly deadly attacks on health care, mass displacement, shortages of basic medical supplies, and shortages of health personnel and funding. Despite ongoing efforts by WHO and partners to rebuild and revitalize health services across the country, more than one-third of health facilities (37%) remain dysfunctional, depriving millions of people of basic life-saving health services.

Since the start of the conflict in April 2023, WHO has confirmed 201 attacks on health care, resulting in 1,858 deaths and 490 injuries. These attacks, which violate international humanitarian law, undermine access to life-saving care and put health workers, patients and carers at serious risk.

“One thousand days of conflict in Sudan has brought the health system to the brink of collapse. Under the pressure of disease, hunger and lack of access to basic services, people are facing a devastating situation,” said WHO Representative in Sudan, Dr. Shible Sahbani. “WHO is doing what it can, where it can, and we know that we are saving lives and rebuilding the health system. Despite the challenges, we are also working to restore the health system.”

The level of progress is unprecedented. An estimated 13.6 million people are currently displaced, making Sudan the largest displacement crisis in the world. Driven by poor living conditions, overcrowding in displacement sites, disrupted health and water supply, sanitation and hygiene services, and the interruption of routine immunization, disease outbreaks are spreading, exacerbating the crisis. WHO is currently supporting the response to outbreaks of cholera, dengue, malaria and measles, with cholera reported in all 18 countries, dengue in 14 countries and malaria in 16 countries. Access to preventive and curative care, including treatment of chronic conditions and severe malnutrition, remains limited.

WHO is working with Sudan's federal and state ministries of health and partners to improve access to essential health services across Sudan and to rehabilitate the health system. Since the start of the conflict in April 2023, WHO has delivered 3,378 metric tons of medicines and medical supplies worth about US$40 million, including diagnostic supplies, treatments for malnutrition and diseases such as cholera, malaria, dengue and emergency operations, to 48 health partners for life-saving operations. About 24 million people received cholera vaccinations, and WHO supported the country to introduce and scale up malaria vaccines. Additionally, more than 3.3 million people accessed health care in WHO-supported hospitals, primary care facilities and temporary mobile clinics. More than 112,400 children with severe acute malnutrition with medical complications received treatment in functional stabilization centers, all receiving World Health Organization (WHO) food supplies. State and national public health laboratories are equipped and strengthened to confirm disease outbreaks and enable rapid response.

“As the relentless conflict makes some areas inaccessible, particularly in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, the health needs of the population continue to grow,” said Dr. Sahbani. “To meet these growing needs and prevent the crisis from spiraling out of control, WHO and humanitarian partners require safe and unhindered access to all areas of Sudan and increased financial resources.”

Ultimately, WHO calls on the parties to the conflict to urgently work towards a ceasefire and peace for the people of Sudan.