Sudan launches a 5-year plan to end cholera as a public health threat

Country: Sudan Source: World Health Organization 22 April 2026, Port Sudan, Sudan – On 16 April 2026, Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health, with the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Irrigation, Finance and Economic Planning, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, launched the Sudan National Cholera Strategic Plan 2026–2030. The Plan brings together actors from multiple sectors to work together towards ending cholera as a public health threat in Sudan. Developed through long consultations among relevant ministries and with partners, the Cholera Strategic Plan 2026–2030 was endorsed by H. E. Federal Minister of Health Dr Heitham Mohammed Ibrahim. It aims to reduce the frequency and intensity of cholera outbreaks through multisectoral approaches for cholera prevention and control. Enhanced multisectoral preparedness and response interventions will focus on 52 priority areas identified through a consultative process guided by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC). Specifically, the plan aims to reduce national cholera incidence to below 42 per 100 000 population and reduce cholera deaths by 90% by 2030. In the past 3 years, Sudan has responded to 2 cholera outbreaks. The most recent started in July 2024. After spreading to all 18 states, infecting 124 418 people and causing 3573 deaths, it was contained in March 2026. “The launching of the 5-year cholera strategic plan is an important step towards cholera prevention and control with strong preparedness and response to future outbreaks, ” said WHO Sudan Deputy Incident Manager Dr Simon Ssentamu. “WHO remains committed to providing technical, operational and supply chain support to the Federal Ministry of Health and partners at all levels. ” Cholera, which is often predictable and preventable, remains a global threat to public health and is an indicator of inequity and lack of social development. Researchers have estimated that every year there are 1. 3 to 4 million cases of cholera, and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths worldwide due to the infection. It can ultimately be eliminated where access to clean water and sanitation facilities, as well as good hygiene practices, are ensured and sustained for the whole population. WHO is prepositioning supplies in high-risk localities in Sudan ahead of the upcoming rainy season, when floods and contamination of water sources typically lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera.

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