Sudan’s health system teeters as three-year conflict deepens crisis

Three years of conflict have left Sudan with the world’s largest ongoing health crisis: 34 million in need of aid and 21 million lacking health services, with 37% of health facilities non-functional and 217 attacks on health care since 2023. Malnutrition is rising (over 4 million acutely malnourished in 2026), and outbreaks of malaria, dengue, measles, polio (cVDPV2), hepatitis E, meningitis and diphtheria are reported. WHO has delivered more than 3,300 metric tons of medicines and supplies, provided essential care to over 4.1 million people, treated more than 118,000 children with complicated severe acute malnutrition, and led vaccination campaigns reaching over 46 million people (including cholera and other vaccines); malaria vaccines were introduced. Cholera outbreaks were contained after sustained response. WHO calls for safe, unrestricted access, sustained funding, and peace to restore health services.