Sudan’s Darfur region is facing a rapidly deteriorating health crisis, with outbreaks of cholera, malaria, and measles spreading across camps and communities—particularly in North Darfur. The region’s health minister, Babiker Hamdine, has placed direct blame on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accusing them of obstructing humanitarian aid and deliberately targeting healthcare infrastructure.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hamdine said RSF actions—including the siege on North Darfur, attacks on hospitals and clinics, and the prevention of medical supplies from reaching affected areas—have created the conditions for the current health disaster.
“The RSF is responsible for the spread of cholera and other diseases in the region,” Hamdine said. “They have killed and abducted doctors, stolen diagnostic equipment, and systematically blocked aid from entering.”
Photos and reports from the Tawila displacement camp west of El Fasher show overcrowded conditions, water shortages, and a near-total absence of medical care.
Surge in Cholera Deaths
The general coordinator of displaced persons and refugees in Darfur recently reported 26 deaths and over 1,430 confirmed cholera cases in Tawila alone, located about 68 km west of El Fasher. Authorities have warned of a “rapid and dangerous spread” of the disease, especially in under-resourced shelters and camps for internally displaced people.
The federal Ministry of Health convened an emergency meeting this week with key international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), to develop a coordinated response to contain the outbreak. However, Hamdine noted that all three organizations have faced “deliberate obstruction” by RSF forces, who are preventing aid from reaching the most vulnerable populations.
“These aid groups are ready to intervene immediately,” Hamdine said. “But the RSF won’t allow them access.”
He also claimed that RSF previously blocked child protection organizations from operating in El Fasher, exacerbating malnutrition among both children and adults due to limited access to food and medical services.
International Silence Criticized
The Darfur minister expressed frustration at the lack of international action, warning that the RSF’s continued violations—including attacks on civilians and health workers—are going unchecked.
“The world must act decisively to stop this militia,” he said. “Immediate international intervention is needed to protect civilians and restore humanitarian access in Darfur.”
The cholera outbreak in western Sudan follows months of escalating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, with civilians increasingly caught in the crossfire. Aid groups and local authorities say the situation is reaching catastrophic levels.
As the rainy season continues, health experts warn that the combination of flooding, poor sanitation, and limited healthcare access will likely cause a further spike in cholera and other communicable diseases in the coming weeks.
