Sudan health minister declares cholera epidemic & appeals for "immediate" & "urgent" international aid

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: Shortly after fighting erupted in Sudan 15 April 2023, the Sudanese authorities dismissed the UN from Sudan and refused visas for most journalists. News of the humanitarian crises mainly comes from aid agencies in Sudan such as UNHCR, UNICEF, MSF, NRC.

They know when to expect rainy seasons in Sudan. Now, suddenly, after weeks of torrential rain, 10 hours daily in some areas, floods have destroyed flimsy shelters and subjected civilians of all ages to malaria, cholera and waterborne diseases while being cut off from food, water, medicines and medical help, Sudan's Health Minister Haitham Ibrahim pops up in the media today (Aug 18) to appeal for "immediate" and "urgent" international aid, knowing that many roads are impassable or too dangerous to use.

What has he been working on in the past year? Is he still getting paid? If so, what for? He knows villagers in RSF controlled areas can't survive without protection, food, water purification, medical help, medicines for cholera, malaria, waterborne diseases etc. Allegedly, many villagers are drinking from the Nile River. Here is a simple guide to drinking water from the Nile: 

• Can you drink from the Nile? The River Nile is the primary source of freshwater for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes in Egypt. However, it is not recommended to drink water directly from the Nile due to pollution and contamination. 

• Is the Nile river water drinkable? No, the water from the Nile River is not safe for drinking. It is heavily polluted with sewage, poisonous chemicals, fertiliser residues, radioactive waste, and oil pollution. 

Also, here are excerpts from a below mentioned report published today titled 'Sudan health minister declares cholera epidemic':

• Sudan's health minister Haitham Ibrahim yesterday declared a cholera epidemic after weeks of heavy rain in the country, in a video released by his ministry.

• "We are declaring a cholera epidemic because of the weather conditions and because drinking water has been contaminated," Haitham Ibrahim said in the video.

• He said the decision was taken in conjunction with authorities in the eastern state of Kassala, United Nations agencies and experts after the "discovery by the public health laboratory of the cholera virus".

• Famine has been declared in a displacement camp in the vast western region of Darfur.

• For weeks the country has seen torrential rainfall, with Kassala state badly hit. The authorities there have appealed for "immediate" and "urgent" international aid. Read more.

From Medicalxpress online 

Written by AFP (Agence France-Presse)

Dated Sunday, 18 August 2024

Sudan health minister declares cholera epidemic

Scanning electron microscope image of Vibrio cholerae. Credit: Wikipedia

Full story: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-08-sudan-health-minister-declares-cholera.html

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Related reports

From UN International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM)

Dated Saturday, 17 August 2024. Full copy:

 

Natural Disaster Displacement Summary: Floods (Update 002):

Map: Estimated Individuals Displaced by Floods Per State, 

01 June - 12 August 2024

The Natural Disaster Displacement Summary compiles DTM updates on incidents of flood-induced displacement across Sudan. 

Between 01 June and 12 August 2024, DTM Sudan reported 60 incidents of heavy rains and floods that triggered sudden displacement in Sudan. Rains and floods have displaced an estimated 117,835 individuals (23,567 households) from locations across 12 different states in Sudan. 

This report outlines incidents of flood-induced displacement between 6 and 12 August 2024. For information on earlier reported incidents, see Natural Disaster Displacement Summary (Update 001). 

• DTM observed 31 incidents of flood-induced displacement  between 6 and 12 August 2024.  
• These reported incidents triggered the displacement of an estimated 96,465 individuals (19,293 households).  
• Approximately 32,611 structures were either partially damaged or destroyed by the rain and floods. 

Note: All figures should be understood as preliminary estimates, pending further verification. DTM Sudan will continue to provide updates on flood-induced displacement via Early Warning Flash alerts, distributed via the DTM-IOM Sudan mailing list.  For further information on displacement and mobility in Sudan, see Sudan Mobility Update (05). 

View original: https://dtm.iom.int/reports/natural-disaster-displacement-summary-floods-update-002

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DTM Sudan Flash Alert

Dated Sunday, 18 August 2024 - Update Two

Rains and Flooding in Al Fasher Locality, North Darfur

Between 12 and 17 August 2024, heavy rain and floods across Al Fasher locality, North Darfur reportedly displaced 867 households. The floods primarily affected Abu Shock IDP Camp of Al Fasher town and Zamzam IDP Camp of Zamzam town, Al Fasher locality. Field teams estimated that 867 houses were destroyed, and 1,389 houses and 1,028 latrines were partially damaged. Displaced households sought shelter with host communities within the same locality.

Note: The situation on the ground remains highly fluid. All figures should be understood as preliminary estimates only, pending further verification. DTM will continue to monitor the developments closely as network coverage permits and will provide regular updates on displacement and population mobility across Sudan. The latest DTM Sudan report is available here. DTM Sudan's Early Warning Flash Alerts provide immediate updates on incidents and sudden displacement in Sudan.

View original:

https://mailchi.mp/iom/dtm-sudan-flash-alert-rains-and-flooding-in-al-fasher-locality-north-darfur-update-002?e=fd4dda7f9b

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Reward of up to $5 million for info on Ahmad Harun

PERFECT timing Cameron, thanks! Hopefully, a signal and warning of more to come. "Seeking justice for victims. Your information on Ahmad Muhammad Harun could be the key. Reward: up to $5M. #JusticePrevails"

Help Bring Justice! The Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program, backed by the U.S. State Department's Office of Global Criminal Justice, is focused on information about Ahmad Muhammad Harun (Ahmad Harun) and is offering a reward of up to $5 million USD for information. 

Submit a Tip! 📞 +1-202-975-5468

Weird timing https://t.co/bRdveQy7Lk

— Cameron Hudson (@_hudsonc) August 14, 2024

Arabic:

 ساهم في تحقيق العدالة لضحايا هذا المجرم. قد تكون معلوماتك عن أحمد محمد هارون المفتاح الذي يقود إلى إدانته. مكافأة: قد تصل إلى 5 ملايين دولار.

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Reward of up to $5 million for info on Joseph Kony

HELP Bring Justice! The Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program, backed by the U.S. State Department's Office of Global Criminal Justice, is focused on information about Joseph Kony and is offering a reward of up to $5 million USD for vital information. Submit a Tip! 📞 +1-202-975-5468

Help Bring Justice! 💥💼

The Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program, backed by the U.S. State Department's Office of Global Criminal Justice, is focused on information about Joseph Kony. We offer a reward of up to $5 million for information.

📞 +1-202-975-5468 pic.twitter.com/zY2H9Gwwbx

— Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program (@GCJRewards) July 17, 2024

Arabic:

برنامج مكافآت العدالة الجنائية العالمية التابع لمكتب العدالة الجنائية العالمية بوزارة الخارجية الأمريكية يسعى لجمع المعلومات حول جوزيف كوني. نقدم مكافأة تصل إلى 5 ملايين دولار لمن يدلي بمعلومات تساعد في ذلك. Aidez à assurer la justice ! 

French:

Le Programme de Récompenses pour la Justice Pénale Mondiale, appuyé par le Bureau de la Justice Pénale Mondiale du Département d'État américain, se penche sur les informations concernant Joseph Kony. 📞 +1-202-975-5468 

#JusticePrevails

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WHO declares mpox global health emergency. Africa Centres for DCP declares a public health emergency

Report from BBC News
James Gallagher, Health and science correspondent
Simi Jolaoso, Africa correspondent

Additional reporting by Alex Smith
Dated Wednesday, 14 August 2024, 20:16 BST. Excerpts:

WHO declares mpox global health emergency

Image source Reuters caption, 

Hundreds of people have been killed by the current mpox outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the mpox outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern.

The highly contagious disease - formerly known as monkeypox - has killed at least 450 people during an initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It has now spread across parts of central and east Africa, and scientists are concerned about how fast a new variant of the disease is spreading and its high fatality rate.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond "is very worrying".

"A co-ordinated international response is essential to stop this outbreak and save lives," he said.

On Tuesday, scientists from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared a public health emergency.

The head of the organisation, Jean Kaseya, warned that this current outbreak could spiral out of control if immediate steps were not taken to contain it.

"We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat," he said.

Full story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg35w27gzno

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What is mpox and how is it spread?

Initial symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain and aching muscles.

Once the fever breaks, a rash can develop, often beginning on the face then spreading to other parts of the body, most commonly the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

The rash, which can be extremely itchy or painful, changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off. The lesions can cause scarring.

The infection usually clears up on its own and lasts between 14 and 21 days.

Serious cases can see lesions attack the whole of the body, and especially the mouth, eyes and genitals.

How is it spread?

Mpox spreads from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected - including through sex, skin-to-skin contact and talking or breathing close to another person.

The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or through the eyes, nose or mouth.

It can also be spread through touching objects which have been contaminated by the virus, such as bedding, clothing and towels.

Close contact with infected animals, such as monkeys, rats and squirrels, is another route.

During the global outbreak in 2022, the virus spread mostly through sexual contact.

The current outbreak from DR Congo is being driven by sexual contact, but has also been found in other communities.

Full story at BBC News, 24 June 2024: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxww2dxr3mko

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SAF & RSF no shows at Sudan peace talks in Geneva. ICC should issue arrest warrants for Burhan & Hemeti

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: I have been dreading today's news about the long awaited Sudan ceasefire talks being held in Geneva, Switzerland starting today. I fear it is Sudan's last chance to save itself and its people and more delays will enable the SAF and RSF to keep on killing their own people.

A BBC report just in (below) says neither side turned up for talks. I know it is none of my business, I am not Sudanese, it is not my place to interfere. As an anti-poverty campaigner, it pains me to know millions of poverty-stricken Sudanese will continue to suffer unnecessarily, I am seeing red right now. 

 

In my view, it is impossible to know what the Americans are playing at. They do not seem to know what they are doing. It is difficult to understand what they and their people like Ms Molly Phee are cooking up behind the scenes.

 

Personally, I wish the ICC would now issue arrest warrants for Messrs Burhan and Hemeti without further delay, charging them with mass murder and blatantly refusing to abide by international and humanitarian law.

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Report from BBC News

Written by Wedaeli Chibelushi, Imogen Foulkes & Kalkidan Yibetal

Dated Wednesday, 14 August 2024. Full copy:

Sudan peace talks start - but neither side shows up

Image source, AFP Image caption, Around 10 million people have fled their homes as a result of the war

Fresh peace talks aimed at ending Sudan's 16-month war have started although neither warring side has entered the negotiating room.

The US, which is leading the talks, insisted the event continued regardless, saying "we are going to try to do everything we can to try to end this horrific crisis in Sudan".

Fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed thousands, driven about 10 million people from their homes and sparked what the United Nations has called the "world's worst hunger crisis".

The army said it would boycott the talks several days ago, while RSF delegates went to Switzerland but at the last minute said they would stay away.

Dashing hopes of a ceasefire, the army said it would not attend as the RSF had not implemented "what was agreed upon" in Saudi Arabia last year.

The paramilitary group had not met key conditions of the Jeddah Declaration, such as withdrawing its fighters from civilians’ houses and public facilities, the army said.

"Military operations will not stop without the withdrawal of every last militiaman from the cities and villages they have plundered and colonised," said Sudanese armed forces chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The RSF has denied accusations of looting and violence against civilians.

As late as Tuesday night, there were still hopes that Sudan's army would arrive for the talks. Tom Perriello, the US Special Envoy for Sudan, said at 23:30 GMT (00:30 Swiss time) that the delegates were "still waiting on the SAF".

"The world is watching," he posted on X.

Mr Perriello told the BBC that in the absence of both sides, the other parties were "moving forward with the negotiations on everything we can do, to make sure we are getting food and medicine and civilian protection to every person in Sudan".

The RSF on Tuesday night said its arrival in Geneva was "a powerful testament to our resolve and determination to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people". The group called on the army to attend the talks.

However, the RSF were not present at the start of the talks on Wednesday. The group has not publicly given a reason for withdrawing.

Before the talks were due to begin, and before the RSF pulled out, Mukesh Kapila, the former United Nations Chief Coordinator for Sudan, said the mood among the delegates was "pretty glum".

"I don't think the two belligerents are interested in talking to each other. One of them is not here already and not much is expected," he told the BBC.

Mr Perriello, however, said he was "very, very hopeful" that the army would listen to "the overwhelming voice of the Sudanese people" and send delegates to Geneva for the talks.

Previous peace talks in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have all failed.

Delegates from the US, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the African Union and the United Nations attended Wednesday's ceremony.

As well as citing the Jeddah Declaration, the army also said it objected to the presence of the UAE as an observer.

The UAE has been accused of arming the RSF, although the Gulf nation has denied any involvement.

The US said the UAE and Egypt - also thought to wield influence in the conflict - needed to attend the talks to help ensure any ceasefire actually holds.

According to the UN’s migration agency, tens of thousands of preventable deaths are looming in Sudan if the conflict and restrictions on humanitarian aid continue.

As talks began in Geneva, medical charity MSF said the last functioning city in the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher may have to shut down due to intensive bombardment.

The surgical ward in the Saudi hospital was hit on Sunday, killing the carer of a patient and injuring five others, the charity reported.

The Rapid Support Forces have been trying to capture the city from the army for several months, forcing tens of thousands of civilian to flee.

It is the last city still under army control in the western region of Darfur, where the RSF has been accused of widespread atrocities against the region's non-Arabic population.

Additional reporting from Will Ross

• A simple guide to what is happening in Sudan
• A front-row seat to my country, Sudan, falling apart
• The children living between starvation and death in Darfur

View original: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c985493m719o

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Related reports

BBC News - Wed 14 Aug 2024

Sudan army boycotts US-led peace talks

Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan refused to send a delegation to the peace talks in Geneva. Fresh peace talks aimed at ending Sudan's 16-month war have started although neither warring side has entered the negotiating room. The US, which is leading the talks, insisted the event continued regardless, saying "we are going to try to do everything we can to try to end this horrific crisis in Sudan".

Full story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c985493m719o

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Dabanga English Online - Wed 14 Aug 2024

Cameron Hudson: ‘Outside backers perpetuate Sudan stalemate’

Hudson emphasised that SAF’s decision to boycott the talks is not final. “It is a reversible decision,” he said, highlighting that SAF could be compelled or choose to change its stance depending on the evolving situation on the ground. He pointed out that SAF has consistently insisted on the implementation of the previous Jeddah agreement and seeks recognition not as an equivalent to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), but as the ‘legitimate government’ of Sudan.

Full story: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/cameron-hudson-outside-backers-perpetuate-sudan-stalemat

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Geneva Solutions - Tue 13 Aug 2024

Sudan talks in Geneva: ‘We want peace’

Yassin regretted the exclusion of Tagadum and other civilian representatives from the talks. Only a dozen representatives from women’s groups, whose identities have not been disclosed for security reasons, were invited as observers, along with the United Nations and the African Union. He still welcomed the talks as “a good step towards building peace”. Rasheed harbours no illusions on her part, noting that “civilian voices are largely ignored”. “These people are treated as legitimate leaders. The table is there for those with the guns,” she said. She still views it as a necessary step. “The main thing is to stop the senseless dying and starving. Whatever progress is made is more than welcome.”

Full story: https://genevasolutions.news/peace-humanitarian/sudan-talks-in-geneva-we-want-peace

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