Sudan Situation - Health & Nutrition Update (July 2023)

OVERVIEW

The conflict in Sudan continues unabated. The security situation in the country remains extremely volatile with continued clashes reported in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan states. In White Nile State, the onset of rainy season is heightening the vulnerability of refugees in camps, particularly on the western side of the river, in addition to limited presence/access of humanitarian actors due to challenges with the ferry. Limited access to medication, medical supplies, electricity and water continue to hamper the delivery of various services especially health care across the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), attacks on health care continue to be reported. Since the start of the conflict on 15 April 2023, WHO has verified 53 attacks on health care resulting in 11 deaths and 38 injuries. These are only attacks WHO has been able to verify through its WHO Surveillance System of Attacks on Healthcare - SSA. The health care situation is also extremely worrying in the neighbouring countries of Chad and South Sudan that have seen huge numbers of refugees and returnees crossing the respective borders to extremely remote areas with limited, or often non-existent medical structures in place.

Key Figures in White Nile

316 deaths reported reported between 15 May and 17 July, due to malnutrition and measles.

36 children dead as a result of measles since 10 March.

1,551 suspected cases of measles reported since 10 March.

Over 2,400 cases of severe acute malnutrition admitted since the beginning of the year.

Highlights

Sudan

• Overall health situation in White Nile State refugee camps is extremely dire. Severe measles outbreak has left 36 children dead, and at least another 1,551 suspected cases, 75% are children under 5 years old.

• Increased malnutrition rates observed, with over 2,400 cases of severe acute malnutrition admitted since the beginning of the year – only getting worse as there are no funds to provide plumpy nut.

• 316 deaths reported between 15th of May and 17th of July mainly children under 5 years of age, due to malnutrition and measles. Deaths observed in community graves.

• Staff from the State Ministry of Health are doing what they can but there is very little resources to ensure quality health care and medicines.

• High risk of severe cholera and malaria in the coming months due to anticipated rains and flooding and shortage of WASH facilities.

Chad

• As of 23 July, a total of 2,357 wounded refugees and returnees have been registered in the eastern provinces of Chad. In June, the average number of casualties admitted was 130 per day.

• A total of 4,336 cases of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and 1,666 cases of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) have been identified.

• Screening of new arrivals has shown low vaccination coverage for measels of the children (60% of zero dose) and high proxy global acute malnutrition rate (> 20%), measles outbreak in Adre, 149 cases registered.

South Sudan

• In Renk alone, a severe measles outbreak has left 57 children dead of which, 15 have died in the last week. The major cause of death remains measles and malnutrition.

• As of 28 July, a total of 106 measles cases were reported with 26 associated deaths that makes case fatality rate (CFR) 24 percent. About 88% of the deaths were of children below the age of 5.

• There is high malnutrition rates and the global acute malnutrition (GAM) in Renk was reportedly 24.1 percent, and 9% reported with SAM.