GENEVA, 9 October 2026 — The World Health Organization has warned that healthcare needs in Darfur are exceeding available assistance, with Tawila hosting more than 700,000 displaced people.
WHO representative in Sudan Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar described the situation at a UN briefing on 6 October after a ten-day mission. UN News highlighted the warning again on 8 October.
Health facilities lack medicines, supplies and trained personnel. Access to mental health care is limited, while treatments for HIV, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases remain scarce.
Abubakar warned that poor rainfall and crop failures were worsening food insecurity. Increasing malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant women, could make communities more vulnerable to disease outbreaks.
WHO said its Sudan health emergency response required $97.7 million but had received only $22 million, leaving an approximately $75 million shortfall at the time of the briefing.
The agency is supporting vaccination, disease surveillance, nutrition services and medical deliveries. It urged greater international funding and safe humanitarian access to help health workers meet the expanding needs.
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Featured image: illustrative stock photograph, not an image of the reported event. Photo by Louis Reed / Unsplash.