Urgent Call for Action: 3.4 Million Vulnerable Children at Extreme Risk of Epidemic Diseases in Sudan – UNICEF
Khartoum, September 18 (IANS): Approximately 3.4 million children under five in Sudan face a high risk of deadly epidemic diseases, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Heavy rains and flooding have exacerbated the spread of illnesses such as cholera, malaria, dengue fever, measles, and rubella, significantly worsening the prospects for affected children, revealed UNICEF Representative to Sudan, Sheldon Yett.
The ongoing internal conflict in Sudan has led to a sharp decline in vaccination rates and the widespread destruction of health, water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure. This situation is further compounded by the deteriorating nutritional status of many children, putting them at even greater risk. On September 9, UNICEF delivered 404,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine to Sudan in an effort to curb the spread of the disease, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Before the internal conflict, Sudan’s vaccination coverage stood at 85 percent, but it has now plummeted to around 50 percent. More than 70 percent of hospitals in conflict-affected areas are non-operational, and front-line healthcare workers have not been paid for months. Since hostilities erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, the spread of epidemic diseases has led to hundreds of deaths.
Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim officially declared a cholera outbreak in Sudan on August 17, attributing it to deteriorating environmental conditions and the use of unclean water due to the conflict. As of this Tuesday, the Health Ministry reported 10,022 cholera cases, including 328 deaths, recorded between July 15 and September 18.
The conflict has resulted in at least 16,650 fatalities and displaced millions, highlighting the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid and support to address the escalating health crisis in Sudan.
Original Story https://www.morungexpress.com/34-million-children-at-high-risk-of-epidemic-diseases-in-sudan-unicef
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