Sudan

In the Darfur region, where the violence has taken an ethnic dimension, most health facilities are no longer functioning due to the lack of critical supplies and medical staff. There is a widespread shortage of supplies such as vaccines, nutrition commodities, and HIV medications, as well as a poor disease surveillance system. At the same time, overcrowded and dire conditions in gathering sites and camps exacerbate the risk of disease outbreaks, while people with chronic conditions are struggling to access the care and medicines they need to survive.

In 2019, following the ousting of the former president, Omar al-Bashir, our teams had been expanding medical activities across Sudan amid a volatile transition, working in 11 states. The country already had large pockets of displaced people as well as refugees from neighboring countries. When the current war began, we refocused our response to try to meet the needs of those affected.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition has reached catastrophic levels in parts of Sudan, particularly in Zamzam camp, North Darfur, which is the largest displacement site in the country. In 2024, multiple screenings carried out by MSF and Sudanese health authorities in the camp indicated alarming and worsening rates of malnutrition. On August 1, 2024, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee concluded that famine conditions were prevalent in the area.This is in large part due to severe shortages of supplies, caused by blockades by the warring parties. 

MSF provides screening and treatment for acutely malnourished children and pregnant mothers in Sudan, treating 59,887 patients for malnutrition in 2024 alone. However, we were forced to suspend operations in Zamzam camp in February 2025 due to escalated fighting in and around the site.

Maternal care

One of the worst maternal health emergencies in the world is unfolding in South Darfur state. From January to August 2024, there were 46 maternal deaths at Nyala Teaching and Kas Rural hospitals, where MSF teams provide obstetric care and other services. The scarcity of functioning health facilities and unaffordable transportation costs mean many pregnant and birthing women arrive at hospital in critical condition.

MSF assisted in 24,318 deliveries in 2024.

Vaccination

Even before the conflict broke out, vaccination coverage for preventable diseases, like measles, was low in Sudan. Now, even more children are expected to miss out on their vaccinations because of the war. Our teams are addressing this by providing catch-up and routine vaccines. In White Nile state, we collaborated with the Ministry of Health to vaccinate children against measles during an outbreak and have since seen disease indicators drop.

MSF provided 166,679 vaccinations in 2024.

Surgery and trauma care

Surgery, including trauma care for war-related injuries, is a main activity for MSF in Sudan. Despite overwhelmed emergency rooms and a lack of supplies, our emergency teams are working alongside hospital staff to provide lifesaving surgery to people injured by gunshots and bomb blasts. This includes children, who make up 1 in 6 war-wounded patients at Bashair Teaching Hospital in south Khartoum.

MSF teams in Sudan treated 7,460 war-wounded patients in MSF facilities and carried out 4,306 surgical interventions in 2024.

Supplies

Moving humanitarian aid throughout Sudan has proven incredibly difficult, with many roads destroyed and regular transport routes too dangerous to take. Armed parties also deliberately block the delivery of our supplies. These needless blockages only serve to stop people from receiving medical care. We continue to call on the warring parties, and those with influence over them, to ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Sudan.