Cholera vaccination campaign launched in Darfur to protect over 1.8 million people

Despite the devastating impact of the prolonged conflict in Sudan, a major public health victory is unfolding in the Darfur region. A massive cholera vaccination campaign has been launched, aiming to protect over 1.86 million people aged one year and older. This urgent intervention, coordinated by Sudan’s Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF, is a testament to the resilience of humanitarian efforts. It delivers a critical safeguard against a deadly disease that thrives in the chaos of war and broken infrastructure. The campaign is a crucial step toward containing the country’s longest-recorded cholera outbreak.

Mobilizing Against the Odds

The logistics of delivering vaccines in Darfur are immense, challenged by ongoing heavy fighting, inaccessible roads, and the collapse of basic services. Aid teams overcame numerous obstacles to mobilize 1.86 million doses of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) through complex cross-border and crossline operations. This mobilization highlights the unwavering commitment of global health partners to reach highly vulnerable populations. The campaign launched in key localities of South Darfur and is rapidly expanding to North Darfur. This effort ensures that even amidst a humanitarian crisis, life-saving medical interventions can reach those most in need.

The Power of Proactive Public Health

The timely launch of this vaccination campaign is a demonstration of proactive public health strategy in a crisis. Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads rapidly through contaminated water and can kill within hours if left untreated. The disease has spread to all 18 states of Sudan, with over 113,000 cases reported since the outbreak began in July 2024. The campaign targets 97% of the population in the worst-affected localities of the Darfurs. By delivering the oral cholera vaccine, health teams are working to interrupt transmission and drastically reduce the mortality rate, which has been alarmingly high in some areas. This intervention is designed to protect large populations while addressing the immediate public health emergency.

Building Capacity and Community Resilience

The success of the vaccination effort relies heavily on local capacity and community engagement. WHO and UNICEF supported the campaign by training trainers and cascading training sessions down to the level of volunteer vaccinators. This approach strengthens local health systems, ensuring that knowledge and skills remain within the community for future preparedness. Community awareness drives are also an integral part of the response, educating families on essential hygiene practices, sanitation, and the importance of clean water access. This multi-sectoral strategy—combining vaccines with improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions—is the most effective way to sustain long-term resilience against cholera.

Global Solidarity in Action

This campaign is a potent symbol of global solidarity. The vaccines were provided by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision (ICG), with financial support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This sustained collaboration among international organizations, NGOs like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the national government is essential for managing the health crisis in Sudan. Furthermore, global health partners are requesting significant funding to meet the immense health needs of affected people both inside Sudan and in neighboring countries. This continued international support is crucial for bolstering the devastated health system and ensuring that the most vulnerable, particularly children, are protected from deadly diseases.

Protecting the Future Generation

The intervention holds particular significance for children under five, who have been disproportionately affected by the cholera outbreak. Protecting this generation from preventable diseases is a critical step toward post-conflict recovery. As more than 70% of hospitals in conflict-affected areas are non-operational, preventative measures like vaccination are literal lifelines. This campaign is one piece of a larger, ongoing effort to stabilize health services across Sudan. It is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest circumstances, coordinated humanitarian action can deliver hope and concrete protection to those facing unimaginable hardship.

• You can find detailed reports on the coordinated response from the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office.
• For information on the vital role of UNICEF in delivering vaccines and WASH supplies, refer to the resources from the United Nations.
• You can read more about the broader humanitarian response and the challenges faced by organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF).