Children in Sudan Face Rising Health Risks Amid Crisis

In Sudan, children are increasingly at risk of deadly infectious diseases due to a sharp decline in vaccination rates, as aid organizations describe the situation as one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world. The ongoing violence has only exacerbated this vulnerability.

Back in 2022, over 90% of young children in Sudan received their regular vaccinations. Now, that number has dropped to just 48%, marking it as the lowest globally, according to the World Health Organization.

Currently, more than 14 million infants worldwide remain unvaccinated, and the WHO has indicated that the targets set for reducing the number of these “zero-dose” children by 2030 are unlikely to be met.

While vaccine skepticism and misinformation have contributed to declining immunization rates in some regions, Dr. Tedbabe Degefie Hailegebriel, who oversees health efforts for Unicef in Sudan, noted that those issues aren’t the main factors here. “The drop in coverage is purely a result of the war,” she explained.

The civil war, which began two years ago, has led to the deaths of tens of thousands and displaced millions, creating what the International Rescue Committee describes as “the biggest humanitarian crisis ever recorded.”

Last year, approximately 838,000 children in Sudan did not receive a single dose of vaccine, positioning the country as having the third-highest figure globally, behind Nigeria and India.

According to Hailegebriel, missing the DTP-1 jab—an essential vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough—indicates that a child and their family likely have minimal access to any healthcare services. The war has severely impacted the nation’s health infrastructure, damaging facilities and disrupting supply lines.

Health professionals like doctors, nurses, and midwives have gone unpaid for months, and basic resources like clean water and electricity are nearly nonexistent in many facilities.

Children exposed to infectious diseases in Sudan are often already in precarious situations, living in temporary shelters or camps after losing their homes. “When you combine that with an unvaccinated child, you create a compounded risk,” Hailegebriel added.

Preventable diseases, such as measles, can inflict not just immediate suffering but also long-lasting effects, potentially robbing children of their futures.

Dr. Kate O’Brien from the WHO noted that conflicts worldwide significantly threaten immunization efforts, with children in unstable regions being three times more likely to be unvaccinated compared to those in peaceful areas.

However, she also pointed out emerging signs of stagnation in vaccination rates globally. Small declines can lead to severe repercussions, opening the door to outbreaks and placing further strain on already overwhelmed health systems.

While access to vaccines is the main hurdle, misinformation is an ongoing concern that could compound the situation. O’Brien warned that budget cuts to humanitarian aid could also lead to decreased vaccine availability in the years ahead.

Humanitarian organizations have managed to raise vaccination rates somewhat in the early part of this year, according to Hailegebriel, but critical funding is lacking. Unicef is attempting to restore a crucial cold chain needed to transport vaccines properly, but conflict often halts these efforts.

“In areas with active fighting, we simply cannot deliver,” she explained. “But once the situation allows, we’re ready to move in.”

The devastation across the country is extensive, including looting and damage to health facilities. When humanitarian efforts resume in affected areas, it becomes a matter of rebuilding to stabilize a health system already on the brink of collapse.

Hailegebriel emphasized that Sudan’s plight hasn’t gained the attention it deserves. She expressed hope for an end to hostilities, insisting that children need a peaceful environment to thrive.

Abdallah Idriss Abugarda from the Darfur Diaspora Association in the UK noted how increasingly difficult conditions have become, particularly in besieged regions like El Fasher. He shared that families are often preoccupied with immediate needs like food and basic medicines, making vaccination a lower priority for them at this time.