The Southern Sudan He has been faced with the worst cholera epidemic of the last 20 years, with over 40,000 cases and nearly 700 deaths in just six months, the Monday announced Monday. UNICEFwhile clashes in the north make access to health services.

In the newest state of the world, it continues to prevail after Sudan’s independence in 2011.

The epidemic was declared in October.

In recent weeks, conflicts that remain ongoing in the state of the Upper Nile (northeast) limit access to health structures And they get worse the epidemic, the non -governmental organization stressed Doctors (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF).

“From September 28, 2024 to March 18, 2025, more than 40,000 cases were recorded in southern Sudan and 694 deaths across the country,” in other words, the “worst epidemic” of “for 20 years” is unfolded, “ The United Nations Fund for childhood said in a statement.

Half of these cases are Children under 15 years of agestressed UNICEF.

“This is the worst epidemic (cholera) that has suffered South Sudan after becoming an independent country”commented on RustonCoordinator of the Service, who spoke to the French Agency by telephone from Juba.

Homes of the disease have been identified in nine of the country’s ten states, with most cases in Jongley, which is adjacent to that of the Upper Nile, he said.

The Nasir County, in the state of the Upper Nile, has been transformed into a battle theater for weeks now, mainly among federal forces, who swear faith in President Salva Kir, and the “White Army”, a paramilitary organization accused by Jube.

Violence displaced 63,000 people, the UN mission leader, Nicholas Haissom, stressed yesterday, warning once again that southern Sudan is on the verge of “Restore the Civil War”.

“As populations are fleeing to protect them, cholera spreads rapidly, causing victims and deteriorating the humanitarian crisis.”for her part, MSF said in a statement.

“With the rapid spread of cholera and the continuation of violence, the needs of medical care in the Upper Nile State are more critical than ever,” summarized the Zakariahead of MSF’s mission to the country.

UNICEF numbers

Cholera, infection that is specifically transmitted through food, water, and Vibrio Cholerae -infected with the bacterium cholerae, causes acute diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps and dehydration and can cause the patient’s death within hours if there is no antibiotic and antibiotic. It is extremely dangerous for children, above all the younger ones.

According to UNICEF numbers, confirmed over 178,000 cases of cholera in 16 countries of East and Meridian Africa during the period from January 2024 to March 2025.

Nearly 2,900 people died, among them many children, he said.

Angola, where she also broke out, recorded more than 7,500 cases and 294 deaths from January 7th to March 18th, always at UNICEF.