80% of Sudan’s Health Facilities out of Service

Sudan is facing a severe humanitarian catastrophe as more than two years of armed conflict have left critical infrastructure in ruins, depriving millions of civilians of safety, food, clean water, and healthcare, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Adnan Hezam, ICRC spokesperson in Khartoum, confirmed that nearly 80 percent of the country’s health facilities are now out of service, while the remaining ones operate under extremely limited capacity.

He added that some regions, particularly Darfur, are grappling with a severe cholera outbreak. Since Sudan’s Ministry of Health declared the epidemic a year ago, more than 100,000 suspected cases and 1,500 deaths have been reported, posing a major threat to public health amid the lack of resources to contain the disease.

The ICRC has prioritized healthcare support, assisting isolation units, cholera treatment centers, and local water authorities to secure access to clean water, a key factor in disease prevention.

Through its interventions, the organization has treated around 7,100 cases and supported displaced communities, including over 82,000 people in North Darfur’s Tawila town, with hygiene supplies, safe drinking water, and health awareness campaigns.

Food insecurity is also worsening across Sudan. Hezam warned that the conflict, restrictions on humanitarian access, and difficulties for farmers in reaching their land have left millions without vital supplies. With 70 percent of the population dependent on farming and livestock, the ongoing violence has disrupted agricultural programs and food supply routes, forcing growing numbers of people to flee in search of shelter and sustenance.