The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday about a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan's Kordofan region, citing an escalating cholera outbreak and growing concerns of violence against civilians.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said conditions in Al Obeid in North Kordofan state continue to worsen amid the conflict.
"WHO echoes concerns raised by the UN Security Council over the imminent risk of mass atrocities, and supports the demand for an immediate halt to assaults," Tedros said at a news briefing in Geneva.
In neighbouring West Kordofan, the state’s health ministry reported 734 suspected cholera cases and 105 deaths since May 15, according to Tedros.
Conflict hampers cholera containment efforts
"The outbreak is occurring in the context of health systems disrupted by long-running conflict," he said.
WHO and its partners are responding by expanding access to safe water and sanitation, establishing cholera treatment centres, and prepositioning rapid diagnostic tests and medicines.
Tedros added that samples are also being sent to South Sudan for laboratory testing.
