Darfur Follow-ups – Kampala
On Sunday, 26 Sudanese and regional human rights organizations and media platforms issued an urgent appeal for immediate action to contain the rapidly deteriorating health situation in Darfur.
This comes amidst an outbreak of monkeypox (Ambopox), rising malnutrition rates, and the continued spread of measles in several areas of Darfur region.
In a joint statement issued on May 18, 2026, the organizations stated that the health situation in Darfur is experiencing a “catastrophic and alarming deterioration,” with the health sector near-total collapse, a severe shortage of medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies, and a weak humanitarian response compared to the scale of the escalating crisis.
The statement indicated that the civilian authority affiliated with the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army, led by Abdul Wahid Mohamed Nour, announced new cases of monkeypox (Ambopox) in the “Dira’” district of Jebal Marrah, South Darfur State. Initial estimates suggest that the number of cases has exceeded 250.
In the same context, the organizations warned of the worsening acute malnutrition situation among children and women in the Al-Salam and Kalma camps in South Darfur State, coinciding with the continued spread of measles in several areas of North and South Darfur, amidst declining healthcare services and limited humanitarian access due to the war.
The statement emphasized that the ongoing armed conflict and the collapse of the health infrastructure have created “an ideal environment for the outbreak of epidemics and infectious diseases,” at a time when civilians are facing illness without adequate protection or healthcare.
The signatory organizations called for the declaration of Jebel Marra and surrounding areas as a “health and humanitarian disaster zone” requiring an urgent international response. They also appealed to the international community and humanitarian organizations to intervene immediately to prevent the situation from escalating into a widespread health catastrophe that threatens the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians, especially children, women, and displaced persons.
The statement called on the de facto authorities in Sudan to open safe humanitarian corridors to ensure the delivery of medical and humanitarian aid to the affected areas.
The statement was signed by human rights organizations and media platforms, including , Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization, Al-Berdi Organization for Peace and Development, African Organization for Rights and Development, and “Darfur Follow-ups” platform, along with other institutions working in the fields of peace, human rights and development.
