IDPs in Kassala: protecting displaced people from cholera

Sudan | 2024 | CBPF

Sudan, Kassala. Sara was pregnant and suffering from cholera when she left Aj-Jazirah state for Kassala, a gruelling and dangerous journey for anyone.

After more than 20 months of relentless conflict, Sudan is one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Armed conflict and attacks against civilians, displacement, hunger, malnutrition, disease, and climate shocks have left nearly two-thirds of the population in need of humanitarian assistance.

Some 11.5 million people have fled their homes since the fighting began in April 2023. Many were already living in situations of displacement. Children make up well over half of the displaced population.

In August 2024, Sara and over 1,000 households from Aj Jazirah and Sennar states arrived in the West Airport Displacement Site in Kassala. Initially they sheltered in schools or any place they could find that was safe: but living in very difficult conditions.

With support from the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF), Alight was the first organization to provide health assistance in the camp, expanding support from previous displacement sites.

Alight also established a referral system for patients who couldn’t afford to pay for emergency operations, covering the full cost of treatment including transport.

While Sara was referred for emergency medical assistance, tragically it was too late to save her baby’s life. While she recovers and cares for her other children, Sara has studied to obtain her Sudanese diploma.

Rapid response to stop cholera spreading

When Alight identified a cholera outbreak in the camp, there were no health centres nearby. Some 155 cases were logged between July and September 2024.

With rapid funding from the SHF, Alight was able to launch an emergency response, treating patients and referring severe cases to the Kassala Cholera Treatment Centre. As the outbreak worsened, the Ministry of Health requested Alight to establish an in-camp treatment centre, which was later handed over to Medecins Sans Frontieres.

Thanks to this swift intervention, no new cholera cases have emerged since.

Alight’s Kassala Project Manager, Adam Basheir, emphasized SHF’s flexibility: “When a crisis happens, within a week, you receive funds to respond. SHF’s 48-hour allocation was critical to containing cholera.”

Mr. Basheir underscored the importance of integrating SHF grants with other support. While UN agencies are providing primary care kits, the SHF funding helps Alight procure additional medicines, ensuring patients with chronic illnesses receive proper care even when living in difficult circumstances.

For more information: visit the Sudan Humanitarian Fund and find real-time contribution and allocation data on the POOLED FUNDS DATA HUB.

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