Health and Humanitarian Disaster Threatens Thousands West of Bara, Sudan

Specialized medical entities warned on Sunday of an impending health and humanitarian catastrophe threatening approximately 200,000 people, including 20,000 children, in areas west of Bara city in North Kordofan State. This warning comes amidst the spread of cholera and measles, coupled with a severe shortage of food and medicine. This alert coincides with the announcement by the non-governmental organization "Dar Hamar Emergency Room" of 30 deaths and 800 cholera cases recorded in West Kordofan State since the outbreak began on June 20. The disease has spread to the localities of Wad Banda and Al-Nuhood, as well as their neighboring villages. The concerned medical authorities stated in a release that they are monitoring with "deep concern" the accelerating deterioration of humanitarian and health conditions west of Bara, amid a lack of basic supplies and the prevalence of cholera and measles. They pointed out that over 200,000 citizens, including more than 20,000 children, are facing extremely harsh humanitarian conditions due to the severe shortage of food and medicine, in addition to the spread of both measles and cholera epidemics. Field information indicates that more than 100 cases of measles among children have been registered in several health centers, in addition to 45 confirmed cholera cases. This situation is compounded by a sharp decline in health services and a complete absence of essential medical supplies. Several health facilities, including Tayba Al-Zaatari Hospital and Umm Kredem Hospital, are currently operating without any supplies. These entities cautioned that the continued interruption of medical and food supplies and the prevention of aid access to the region portend a humanitarian and health disaster that could significantly raise mortality rates, especially among children and the most vulnerable groups. They appealed to the United Nations, humanitarian and relief organizations, and specialized health authorities for urgent intervention to ensure the delivery of essential medicines, intravenous fluids, vaccines, and medical supplies, in addition to food and safe water, to contain the spread of diseases and save the lives of thousands of civilians. In a related context, the Sudanese Ministry of Health announced last Tuesday the registration of 911 cholera cases, including 127 fatalities, across North and West Kordofan states. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have controlled Bara city and its western villages since last March. Meanwhile, the three Kordofan states (North, West, and South) have witnessed clashes between the Sudanese Army and the RSF since October 25 last year. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Saturday a 65% increase in the number of displaced people due to escalating violence in the Kordofan region since October 2025. The number rose from over 132,000 people in February 2026 to more than 219,000 by the end of June, an increase of 87,000 over four months. The organization affirmed that the region is one of Sudan's primary displacement centers since the outbreak of war between the Army and the RSF in April 2023, currently hosting about one million internally displaced persons, equivalent to 11% of the total displaced population in the country. The war in Sudan continues since April 2023, stemming from disagreements over the unification of the military institution, leaving tens of thousands dead and approximately 13 million displaced.