Transforming Health Care in Sudan: World Bank, WHO, and UNICEF Join Forces to Reach 8 Million People

Photo credit: WHO / Ala Kheir

On January 13, 2025, in Port Sudan, the World Bank, WHO, and UNICEF teamed up to sign an $82 million deal. This agreement aims to improve health services for over 8 million people in Sudan. The focus is to help those most in need and strengthen the country’s health systems.

Many hospitals in conflict-hit areas of Sudan are no longer functioning. Over 70% have been damaged or destroyed. Health workers, like doctors and nurses, are struggling without pay for months. Vaccination efforts have also been disrupted due to safety concerns.

Dr. Shible Sahbani from WHO highlighted the importance of the SHARE project. He stated that this initiative shows WHO’s dedication to ensuring people in Sudan can access essential health services, especially during crises. The project aims to build a stronger healthcare system for the future.

UNICEF’s Sheldon Yett stressed the urgent need to support vulnerable children and families. He encouraged collaboration to rebuild vital services, ensuring access to life-saving health care and nutrition during ongoing hardships.

The goal of this partnership is to address immediate health needs while working on long-term improvements. Agencies will distribute vital medicines, train health workers, and deliver essential maternal and child health services. They will focus on treating severe malnutrition and expanding vaccination coverage in both displaced and host communities. Additionally, support will be provided to victims of gender-based violence through healthcare services.

Efforts will also be made to enhance disease surveillance, improve emergency operations, and prepare quick response teams to better handle health emergencies.

Sudan’s health system faces severe challenges, with ongoing disease outbreaks worsening sanitation issues. Access to clean water remains limited, especially in overcrowded areas. There are around 3.4 million children under five at high risk of diseases like measles, malaria, and cholera.

The Famine Review Committee has reported significant food insecurity in Sudan, with millions struggling to find enough to eat. Approximately 24.6 million people now experience acute food insecurity, with many facing emergency levels of hunger.

This SHARE project is backed by the World Bank’s International Development Association, which has allocated $19.5 million to WHO and $62.5 million to UNICEF. It aligns with Sudan’s national health goals and broader global efforts to ensure equitable health access.