Malakal, South Sudan – August 4, 2025

A cholera outbreak is compounding Malakal’s humanitarian crisis, with cases spreading from Sudan’s conflict zones to South Sudan’s Upper Nile State. Since October 2024, South Sudan has reported over 45,600 cases and 841 deaths nationwide, with Malakal’s Renk Transit Center a hotspot.

Overcrowding in the UN Protection of Civilians site and inadequate water and sanitation facilities are driving the epidemic, according to the World Health Organization.“The lack of clean water and functional latrines is a breeding ground for cholera,” said Dr. Amina Hassan, a local health worker.

Displaced families, including children under five, are most at risk, with low vaccination coverage exacerbating the threat. The collapse of Sudan’s health system has increased cross-border transmission, while floods have contaminated water sources in Malakal.UNICEF and WHO are distributing oral cholera vaccines, targeting 2.6 million people, but funding shortages and insecurity hinder efforts.

The UN calls for $4.2 billion to address Sudan and South Sudan’s health crises, urging global action to curb the outbreak before it overwhelms Malakal’s fragile health infrastructure.