Nearly 700 Dead as South Sudan Battles Worst Cholera Outbreak Since Independence
South Sudan is grappling with its most severe cholera outbreak since gaining independence in 2011, with nearly 700 deaths recorded over the past six months, the United Nations reported on Monday. The crisis has taken a devastating toll on children, who account for a significant portion of the fatalities.
A Crisis Unfolding
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), South Sudan has reported 40,000 cholera cases between late September 2024 and March 18, 2025, marking the worst outbreak the country has faced in two decades.
“This is the worst outbreak South Sudan as an independent country has ever faced,” said Verity Rushton, a UNICEF emergency specialist speaking from Juba.
Children under 15 account for half of the reported cases, while a third of the deaths involve children under 14, UNICEF stated. The alarming numbers highlight the dire situation in a country already struggling with economic and political instability.
War and Disease: A Deadly Combination
Despite having vast oil reserves, South Sudan continues to battle economic turmoil and violent clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar. The ongoing conflict has displaced tens of thousands, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and creating conditions ripe for the spread of disease.
Nine of the country’s ten states have been affected by cholera, with Jonglei State in the east reporting the highest number of cases, according to Rushton.
Cholera Spreads Across Africa
South Sudan’s crisis is part of a larger outbreak sweeping through eastern and southern Africa. In Angola, more than 7,500 cholera cases and 294 deaths have been reported from January 7 to March 18, 2025, according to UNICEF, which has warned of a potential escalation across the region.
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has raised concerns over the rapid spread of cholera as violence forces people to flee their homes. MSF has treated 400 cholera patients in a single county in Upper Nile State and is now running a 100-bed treatment unit in neighbouring Jonglei.
“With cholera spreading rapidly and violence ongoing, the need for medical care in Upper Nile State is more critical than ever,” said Zakaria Mwatia, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan.
A Worsening Situation
The crisis has forced the closure of a cholera treatment unit in Nasir County, where 23 humanitarian workers had to evacuate due to rising insecurity. Since February, an estimated 50,000 people have been displaced in Upper Nile State, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Cholera, a bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration, can be deadly if untreated. However, it is manageable with antibiotics and proper hydration. Health organizations are calling for urgent intervention to prevent further loss of life and to contain the outbreak before it spirals out of control.
As South Sudan battles this growing health crisis, international organizations are scrambling to provide assistance. However, with continued violence and displacement, the fight against cholera remains an uphill battle.
In other news:Sudan Army Recaptures Presidential Palace in Major Blow to RSF
Nearly 700 Dead as South Sudan Battles Worst Cholera Outbreak Since Independence