Médecins Sans Frontière (MSF) has said that at least 13 children have died from suspected measles complications in displacement camps in Sudan’s White Nile State as fighting between the country’s warring factions continues.

Development Diaries reports that MSF, in a series of tweets, raised the alarm of a possible health crisis in displacement camps as women and children are now at risk of health complications.

Since the beginning of the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, over one million people have been displaced internally, according to the United Nations refugee agency.

This has resulted in overcrowded camps for displaced persons which also increases the chances of a disease outbreak.

‘The State of White Nile in Sudan is receiving an increasing number of people fleeing conflict. Nine camps host hundreds of thousands of people, mostly women and children’, MSF tweeted.

‘The situation is critical, especially with suspected measles and malaria cases in children, which are the most urgent health problems.

‘Between [0]6 and 27 June, we treated 223 children for suspected measles, 72 were admitted, and 13 died in two clinics we support.

‘MSF Sudan has set up two treatment centres, adding new beds and staff. Every day we receive sick children with suspected measles, most of whom develop complications’.

With the rainy season approaching, there are concerns over the increase in waterborne disease and malaria cases in the region.

Development Diaries reiterates its call on the warring parties in Sudan to respect international humanitarian laws and allow urgent aid to reach those most in need.

Source: MSF Sudan

Photo source: MSF Sudan