Race against time
UNICEF’s timely response to the cholera outbreak in Khartoum
A cholera outbreak has been confirmed in Khartoum and is spreading rapidly.
Hospitals are setting up isolation centres to provide critical care and treatment to those affected, but the number of cases is growing daily.
Families returning to Khartoum after fleeing the war in 2023 are coming back not only to damaged homes, schools, and neighborhoods, but also to little or no access to basic services—such as water, health care, and sanitation.
Ongoing attacks on power plants that support water supply systems have worsened the situation, leading to severe water shortages and increasing the risk of diseases like cholera and acute watery diarrhoea, while creating conditions ripe for new outbreaks.
Amidst the water crisis, thousands have resorted to collecting contaminated water from unsafe sources. Children under five years suffering from malnutrition- especially in the hardest-hit areas like Khartoum and Jabal Awlia- are particularly vulnerable. Their lives hang in balance as they face the dual threat of cholera and malnutrition.
Khartoum state is among the areas in Sudan currently experiencing a cholera outbreak. Between 15 and 25 May 2025, cholera cases have surged significantly from 90 to 815 reported cases per day - a nine-fold increase in just 10 days.
Since January 2025, over 7,700 cholera cases - including more than 1,000 in children under five - and 185 associated deaths have been reported.
Here’s how UNICEF and its partners are responding rapidly to save lives.
Reaching families with life-saving information
Community mobilizers are going door to door, educating families about cholera, its symptoms, associated risks, and prevention measures. They are promoting essential hygiene practices such as handwashing with clean water and soap, safe food handling, household cleanliness, drinking clean and safe water, and regularly cleaning water containers to prevent contamination.
“Cholera can be prevented,” says Ehab Alshikh, UNICEF’s Social Behavioural Change Officer.
“We are delivering a package of community-based interventions and practices that families need to adopt to stop the spread of cholera.”
Using simplified educational materials, community mobilizers are reaching children and families in the most affected areas with critical information.
Dr. Somaya at the Turkish hospital confirms that while cholera can lead to severe complications, it is easily preventable with simple practices – such as washing hands with safe water and soap before and after using the toilet, thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables, and avoiding contaminated water.
UNICEF 2025/Elfatih
Children under five years suffering from malnutrition- especially in the hardest-hit areas like Khartoum and Jabal Awlia- are particularly vulnerable. Their lives hang in balance as they face the dual threat of cholera and malnutrition.
Safe water access is critical
Improving access to safe water in communities and health-care facilities is a top priority. UNICEF is sustaining operations at Al Manara water treatment plant and providing essential treatment chemicals such as polymer and chlorine- ensuring that more than one million people in Karrari and Old Omdurman have access to clean and safe water.
Drinking contaminated water or storing it in dirty containers can lead to more infections. Community mobilizers are traversing communities, educating families on proper storage of drinking water, providing water purification tablets and chlorinating water at household level to improve the quality of drinking water.
In Sharg An Neel locality, UNICEF’s WASH Specialist Widad Osman tests water quality at a tap stand where women and children collect water. Ensuring water safety at community and facility levels remains a key focus of the response. With trained water committees and chlorine testing kits, more communities can be reached—and lives saved.
Training frontline responders and supplying essentials
Training frontline workers is critical to stopping the outbreak. Together with World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, UNICEF has trained members of community-based water management committees, equipping them with chlorine testing kits to monitor water safety at household level.
In health facilities treating cholera patients, UNICEF is also training health workers and educating communities on home-based management of diarrhoea using oral rehydration salts. Additionally, UNICEF is procuring and delivering vital cholera supplies like oral rehydration salts and essential medicines.
Dr. Somaya, who remains at the frontline of the response, has witnessed the turnaround.
“We have managed to control the situation. Previously we received more than 100 patients a day, but the numbers have reduced to 14.”
Patients now arrive earlier, in better condition, thanks to awareness efforts and the setup of oral rehydration points near homes. This allows early intervention before hospitalization if needed.
“The number of recoveries has now surpassed infections,” Dr. Somaya says.
Since the onset of the outbreak, UNICEF has been working closely with Federal Ministry of Health, WHO and other partners to mount a fast, multisectoral response—focusing on water and sanitation, hygiene promotion, vaccination campaigns, training, and life-saving supplies. As communities regain control, every life saved becomes a testament to the power of timely and coordinated action.
