“We will sleep tight”

As Sudan prepares for the rainy season, flooding and stagnant water become a dangerous norm- providing the perfect breeding ground for mosquitos that spread deadly diseases like malaria. 

Malaria is one of the leading causes of illness and death in Sudan, particularly affecting children under the age of five years, pregnant women and their unborn children, and people living in marginalised communities, and internally displaced people’s sites.  With millions displaced and sheltering in overcrowded, and makeshift settlements, the threat of malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses like Dengue- is alarmingly high. 

To protect the most vulnerable, the Federal Ministry of Health, with support from UNICEF and the Global Fund, launched a nationwide campaign to distribute almost 16 million insecticide-treated nets across 14 states. These life-saving nets are a key tool in preventing mosquito bites and malaria transmission.

A net of protection 

In Gedaref and Blue Nile, some of the hardest- hit malaria states, millions of bed nets were distributed in just six days, reaching thousands of households, including displaced and refugee families. 

In Arabee neighbourhood, Awadia pregnant with her fourth child, carefully installs her new bed net with help of UNICEF and Ministry of Health officials. In a few minutes the net is up before she quickly tucks in all the corners. For Awadia, the arrival of the bed nets is very timely.

"These nets came at the right time. When it rains, our village floods and mosquitoes are everywhere. Now, my children and I will be protected.”

In Al-Fao village, Naima, a displaced grandmother caring for her daughter and five grandchildren, received six mosquito nets.

Having left most of their belongings back home, the family doesn’t have much.

“This area has so many mosquitoes, and we’ve been falling sick a lot. We had nothing. These nets will make a big difference.”

In a nearby camp, Najwa and her daughter Muzdalifah are recovering from malaria.

While Najwa feels much better, her daughter Muzdalifah continues to struggle with a headache, fever and chest infection. They have been exposed to the cold and mosquitoes for so long and their new nets will bring some relief.

“My daughter still has fever and headaches every night. I hope these nets will stop this from happening again.”

Safia, a mother of nine, fled Khartoum months ago. When her eldest son- the family’s main breadwinner- fell sick with malaria, everything stopped.

“He couldn’t work for 10 days. We had no money for food. These nets mean I won’t have to keep buying medicine. We’ll stay healthy.”

Al-Siddiq, a secondary school teacher, lives near the Rahad River in an agricultural zone where mosquitoes are ever-present.

“We couldn’t sleep before—mosquitoes would bite us even through blankets. Since we received these nets, we sleep deeply and peacefully.”

His old nets, distributed two years ago, had worn out. Now, with fresh ones hung around their beds, his family finally has real protection again.

Ahlam sits in the queue awaiting her turn to receive bed nets. Displaced from Khartoum, the mother of nine looks forward to receiving the bed nets that will help protect her children from mosquito bites.

“There are too many mosquitos in this area during all the seasons,” she said with concern.

As her children remained unprotected, she worried about diseases that could potentially affect them, malaria and dengue inclusive – which are so common in the state. 

"No More Crying at Night"

In Haj Al-Sayed camp, Badia, a mother of ten, had no nets since fleeing violence. She used sheets and blankets to shield her children from bites, but it wasn’t enough.

“My daughter once had such a high fever, she told me, ‘Mummy, my body feels cold,’ in the midday heat. She had malaria.”

After receiving her new nets and attending a health education session, she expressed deep relief.

“Now my children can sleep peacefully. No more crying at night from mosquito bites. These nets will protect our health.”