The humanitarian emergency in South Sudan continues to worsen as the country faces a dual humanitarian crisis. Thousands of refugees are fleeing violence in neighbouring Sudan, while a growing cholera outbreak threatens already precarious lives, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said Monday.
The number of people crossing the border daily is estimated at between 5,000 and 10,000, according to the United Nations, fleeing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises caused by fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. The violence, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions more.
In the border town of Renk, which is hosting thousands of refugees, MSF and International Committee of the Red Cross teams are struggling to cope with the massive influx. “The situation is completely overwhelming,” said Emanuele Montobbio, MSF’s emergency coordinator. More than 100 seriously injured people are awaiting surgery, while infrastructure is already stretched to the limit.
Among the refugees is Alhida Hammed, who fled Sudan’s Blue Nile state after being injured in an attack. “Home is no longer home,” he said, recalling terrifying memories of burning houses and chaos. He now shelters under a tree, with no plans to return.
South Sudan, already weakened by its own internal violence, poverty and natural disasters, is unprepared for the influx of refugees. Adding to the growing crisis is an alarming cholera outbreak, with 92 deaths reported in Unity state and more than 1,200 cases treated in Bentiu in just one month.
In camps near the capital Juba, MSF has recorded 1,700 suspected cholera cases and 25 deaths. The camps suffer from a lack of basic sanitation, with uncollected waste, faulty toilets and contaminated water, exposing residents to serious health risks.
“This is not just a cholera outbreak, but systemic neglect,” said Mamman Mustapha, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan. Without urgent intervention, he warned that the number of cholera cases could explode.
The situation remains critical as the country struggles to cope with multiple humanitarian challenges, exacerbated by the continued influx of refugees.