Sudan

River in Africa's Sahel, for article on Sahel groundwater

After decades of drought, groundwater is rising across Africa’s Sahel

Water tables across much of Niger have climbed roughly 13 feet, refilling aquifers that farming families rely on for drinking water and irrigation. Lake Chad — a vital source of fish, water, and grazing land for the region — swelled past 9,000 square miles in 2024, nearing its 1960s extent, while 200 million regrown trees are anchoring soil and reviving wildlife habitat. Returning rains and farmer-led restoration are rebuilding food and water security across the region. The catch: the same fierce storms driving this recovery are killing people and destroying homes, and whether the aquifers can outpace a fast-growing population remains uncertain.

Health workers preparing oral vaccines in a field setting for an article about cholera vaccination campaign in Darfur

Cholera vaccination campaign reaches 1.86 million people in Darfur amid active conflict

Sudan cholera vaccination campaign: In late September 2025, health workers delivered oral cholera vaccines to more than 1.86 million people across six localities in the Darfur states, navigating active conflict, broken infrastructure, and collapsed supply chains to reach nearly 97% of the targeted population. Coordinated by Sudan’s Ministry of Health with WHO, UNICEF, and global partners, the campaign addressed an outbreak spanning all 18 states, with over 113,000 cases and 3,000 deaths recorded since July 2024. Beyond vaccination, teams trained local health workers and delivered hygiene education, building lasting community capacity.

A doctor is about to vaccinate a child, for article on malaria vaccine rollout

Sudan launches first malaria vaccine in landmark child health initiative

Sudan’s malaria vaccine rollout is reaching more than 148,000 children under 12 months in its opening phase, making it the first country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to launch the shot nationally. That’s remarkable on its own, but consider the backdrop: hospitals shuttered, health workers unpaid for months, and a war reshaping daily life. Even so, the Federal Ministry of Health worked with UNICEF, WHO, and Gavi to train staff, build cold chain capacity, and reach two states, with expansion to 129 localities planned by 2026. It’s a quiet reminder that even in the hardest places, public health progress can still find a way through.