Urgent Need for Immunization Amid Measles Outbreak in Darfur

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached alarming levels as a resurgence of measles cases continues to spread across the Darfur region. With an already low immunization coverage and ongoing conflict exacerbating the situation, urgent measures are required to protect vulnerable children from this contagious disease.

According to Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF), outbreaks of measles have surged since June 2024, with significant increases in cases reported from various localities, including Rokero, East Jebel Marra, and Forbrenga. Over 9,950 patients have been treated for measles in health facilities supported by MSF from June 2024 to May 2025, with approximately 2,700 cases complicated enough to require hospitalization. Tragically, the outbreak has already resulted in 35 deaths.

The root causes of this situation include the historically low levels of immunization in the region. "In Forbrenga, 30 percent of the measles patients are over the age of five, and only 5 percent of them have been vaccinated," explained Sue Bucknell, MSF’s deputy head of mission in West Darfur. This indicates a lack of vaccination that predates the current conflict, which has further strained healthcare systems.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which escalated in April 2023, has severely constrained medical actors' capacities to respond to outbreaks. As Dr. Cecilia Greco, MSF’s medical coordinator for Central Darfur, noted, the war has led to significant population displacement, facilitating the rapid spread of diseases. Administrative obstacles and blockades have caused vaccine shortages, disrupting routine immunization programs. For instance, in Sortony, a camp housing over 55,000 internally displaced individuals, vaccination efforts were halted from May 2024 to February 2025.

Despite some vaccination campaigns being initiated, the response has been criticized as reactive and insufficient. MSF conducted a campaign in North Jebel Marra in November 2024, vaccinating 9,600 children; however, due to limited vaccine supplies, older children were excluded, undermining long-term efforts to immunize the population. Dr. Greco emphasized, "Reactive campaigns are only a Band-Aid on an open wound unless massive efforts are put in place for immunization and prevention across Darfur."

Recently, a campaign led by the Ministry of Health and supported by MSF successfully vaccinated 55,800 children in Forbrenga. An additional 93,000 children are set to receive vaccinations in North Jebel Marra and Sortony. Despite these efforts, the sense of urgency remains. “Many measles cases could have been prevented had these campaigns occurred sooner,” Dr. Greco stated.

The ongoing outbreak has raised concerns about other potential disease outbreaks, including cholera. Recent reports indicate that about 200 individuals with suspected cholera cases have been treated in MSF-supported facilities across two different Darfur states. To prevent future outbreaks, collaboration among federal and local health authorities, UN agencies, and medical actors is crucial to enhance vaccination efforts and respond effectively to disease outbreaks.

In summary, the situation in Darfur illustrates the dire need for sustained immunization efforts, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Without immediate and concerted action, the health crisis in the region is likely to escalate, endangering the lives of countless children.