A major vaccination campaign has begun in Darfur, Sudan, aiming to shield 1.86 million people from a deadly cholera outbreak — one of the largest health efforts in the country amid conflict and crisis.
“The people in Darfur, and the rest of Sudan, must be protected from disease and suffering, and we are here to do exactly that,” said Dr Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative in Sudan.
Led by Sudan’s Ministry of Health with support from WHO and UNICEF, the 10-day campaign will deliver oral cholera vaccines across six localities in Darfur, targeting 97% of the population aged one and above. More than 1.86 million doses were delivered through complex cross-border operations — a remarkable feat given ongoing instability. Alongside vaccination, teams are improving access to water and sanitation to halt transmission and restore health security for communities hardest hit.
