Worst Cholera Outbreak in South Sudan in Two Decades, According to UNICEF Report - Record-breaking cholera epidemic surges in South Sudan after two decades
South Sudan, heralded as the world's youngest nation, has been struggling with instability since declaring independence from Sudan in 2011. Recurrent battles between government forces and armed militias have pushed around 50,000 folks into displacement, as per UN data, hindering relief efforts aimed at snuffing out the cholera epidemic.
Cholera is a devastating gut-related illness, often contracted via contaminated water or food. Its telltale signs consist of severe diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle spasms, which, if left untreated, can prove deadly in a matter of hours.
From January 2024 to March 2025, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported a staggering 178,000 cholera cases across eastern and southern Africa. Over 2,900 persons have sadly lost their lives, with many of them being children.
- South Sudan
- UNICEF
- Sudan
- Armed Conflict
Relating Enrichment Insights
The Current State of the Cholera Outbreak in South Sudan
Since the end of September 2024, South Sudan has witnessed its most severe cholera outbreak in 20 years. As of March 18, 2025, the country recorded over 40,000 cholera cases, leading to nearly 700 deaths nationwide[1][2][5]. Half of the victims were underage children[1][5].
Triggers of the Outbreak
The explosion of cholera cases can be attributed to several factors:- Limited access to clean water- Inadequate sanitation- Inadequate healthcare infrastructure- Persistent conflict and instability, particularly in Upper Nile State, worsening the crisis and complicating aid delivery[1][3][4]
UNICEF's Role
UNICEF is actively engaged in managing the cholera outbreak by:- Reporting and advocating for immediate action- Collaborating with local health authorities to bolster disease management and improve access to healthcare- Highlighting the disproportionate impact on vulnerable children, advocating for targeted aid to protect these groups[1][2]
The Impact of Ongoing Conflict
While South Sudan's conflict with Sudan is a complex regional issue, the ongoing internal conflicts within South Sudan exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, including the cholera outbreak. These conflicts result in displacement, disrupt essential services, and limit access to aid and healthcare in affected areas[1][3].
- The cholera outbreak in South Sudan, the most severe in two decades, is ongoing, with over 40,000 cases reported and nearly 700 deaths as of March 18, 2025, a significant portion of which have been children [1][2][5].
- The escalation of cholera cases in South Sudan can be linked to several factors, including limited access to clean water, inadequate sanitation, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and persistent conflict and instability, particularly in Upper Nile State, which worsens the crisis and hinders aid delivery [1][3][4].
- UNICEF is working to manage the cholera outbreak in South Sudan by reporting and advocating for immediate action, collaborating with local health authorities to enhance disease management and improve access to healthcare, and focusing on the disproportionate impact of the outbreak on vulnerable children, advocating for targeted aid to protect these groups [1][2].
