After three years of conflict, Sudan is facing the largest humanitarian emergency in the world. An estimated 34 million people now require assistance, 21 million are without adequate health services, and repeated assaults have shattered a medical system already strained by widespread disease and hunger.

Although conditions have slightly improved in some states, the health emergency is intensifying in areas where violence persists. Outbreaks of infectious diseases and severe malnutrition are increasing, while access to care continues to decline and funding gaps grow wider.

“The war in Sudan is destroying lives and stripping people of their most basic rights, including access to health care, clean water, food and security. The health system has been devastated, leaving millions without essential services,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Health workers can save countless lives, but they need safe environments, medicines and supplies to do so. In the end, peace is the most powerful remedy.”

More than 4 million people are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2026 (IPC Alert, 5 February 2026), placing them at heightened risk of serious illness and medical complications.

Infectious diseases are spreading across the country. Malaria, dengue, measles, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), hepatitis E, meningitis and diphtheria have been reported in multiple states, including Al Jazirah, Darfur, Gedaref, Khartoum, Kordofan, River Nile and White Nile.

Across Sudan’s 18 states, 37% of health facilities are not operational. Hospitals, ambulances, patients and medical staff have repeatedly come under attack, further limiting access to care—especially in conflict zones where facilities are partially functioning or have shut down entirely due to damage and destruction.

Since 15 April 2023, WHO has verified 217 attacks on health care, resulting in 2052 deaths and 810 injuries.

In Greater Darfur and Kordofan, ongoing fighting has displaced communities and severely disrupted the delivery of humanitarian aid. A recent assault on El Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur illustrates the gravity of the situation. The attack left at least 64 people dead, including children and health workers, and forced the hospital to cease operations. The facility had served as a major referral centre for hundreds of thousands of people in the region.

“Three years of conflict have turned Sudan into the world’s largest and most severe health crisis. Disease is spreading, malnutrition is worsening, and access to care is rapidly diminishing,” said WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy. “Millions lack even the most basic medical services, face hunger, and remain vulnerable to preventable diseases. The crisis demands urgent humanitarian action and sustained long-term solutions. We stand with the people of Sudan.”

WHO action

With many services suspended, critically ill patients are often forced to travel long and dangerous distances to reach functioning facilities. In the Kordofan region, repeated attacks have destroyed health infrastructure and caused additional casualties, including among children.

“Since the conflict began, WHO has remained present, delivering supplies, strengthening disease surveillance, training health workers and coordinating response efforts,” said Dr Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative to Sudan. “As access improves in certain areas, we are increasing support for early recovery and rebuilding the health system alongside ongoing emergency operations.”

WHO is reinforcing supply chains for essential medicines and equipment, supporting health personnel, and restoring critical public health services, including state and national reference laboratories. Since April 2023, more than 3300 metric tons of medicines and medical supplies have been delivered, including treatments for cholera, malaria, malnutrition and trauma care.

Services supported by WHO have enabled more than 4.1 million people to receive essential care through primary health centres, hospitals and mobile clinics. Over 118 000 children with complicated severe acute malnutrition have received treatment. Vaccination campaigns have reached more than 46 million children and adults with vaccines against cholera, polio, diphtheria, measles and rubella. Sudan also became the first country in the region to introduce the malaria vaccine into its routine immunization programme.

In collaboration with Federal and State Ministries of Health and other partners, WHO helped contain two major cholera outbreaks. The most recent outbreak was declared over in March 2026 after more than a year of sustained response efforts, including oral cholera vaccination campaigns that reached 24.5 million people.

WHO expresses its gratitude to donors and development partners whose financial contributions have enabled the delivery of medical supplies, equipment, operational assistance and technical expertise.

WHO reaffirms its commitment to protecting the health of all people in Sudan. To achieve this, the Organization calls for safe and unhindered access across the country, protection of health facilities and personnel, and consistent humanitarian and long-term financial support.

Sudan urgently needs peace. Without peace, there can be no health.

Editor’s note:

Editorial revisions were made to this news release on 15 April 2026. The substance of the content, including all figures, remains unchanged.