World Bank Joins Forces with WHO and UNICEF to Enhance Healthcare Access for 8 Million in Sudan

Imagine walking into a hospital only to find its doors shut, its hallways silent, devoid of the familiar hustle and bustle of doctors and nurses. Such is the reality for countless people in Sudan, where the grave impact of conflict has left over 70% of medical facilities non-operational. Catastrophe… is it any wonder that this region is reaching out for a lifeline?

In the dusty yet sprawling city of Port Sudan, January 13, 2025, marked a beacon of hope. Like a light at the end of a dimly lit tunnel, the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF have sealed a deal—an $82 million pact, no less. This agreement promises to breathe new life into Sudan’s healthcare system, aiming to touch the lives of over 8 million vulnerable citizens.

Picture this: doctors and nurses, those unsung heroes, going months without pay. In areas shredded by conflict, they’ve been running on fumes. Supplies trickle in at a snail’s pace, hampered by security hurdles and shattered logistics. What’s more, vital vaccinations, those tiny warriors against disease, have been stuck in limbo, unable to reach outstretched arms. “The Sudan Health Assistance and Response in Emergencies (SHARE) project is our commitment to ensuring health services reach Sudan’s communities, especially through life’s storms,” stated Dr. Shible Sahbani, WHO’s point person in Sudan. His words, a testament to the power of resilience and preparation, struck a chord with many.

On the flip side, UNICEF’s Representative for Sudan, Sheldon Yett, painted a stark picture. “We’re not just trying to keep afloat here; we’re striving to mend the rends,” he remarked, succinctly capturing the urgency. “Rebuilding health and nutrition services is vital for children embroiled in this ongoing conflict,” he stressed, offering a rallying call for collective action.

With the World Bank’s financial backing, UNICEF and WHO are setting the stage for a two-pronged approach—immediate relief coupled with long-term healing. The game plan? Deliver medicine, mentor healthcare workers, champion maternal and child health, tackle severe malnutrition, and re-ignite vaccination campaigns. It’s a recipe concocted for a healthier, more resilient future.

These efforts extend into the very heart of communities—supporting gender-based violence survivors and employing local platforms to make health services truly inclusive. And there’s more: Investing in vigilant disease surveillance, fortifying emergency centers, and rallying rapid-response teams are all about shoring up defenses in susceptible areas.

The hard truth? Disease outbreaks have become an all-too-common visitor in Sudan, straining an already fragile healthcare system to its limits. When thinking of clean water and proper sanitation, particularly in overcrowded sites for displaced persons, it’s a precious commodity, amplifying the threat of infections. Sadly, about 3.4 million young children, those under five, are teetering on the edge of epidemic threats like measles and malaria.

And then there’s the shadow of famine looming large over regions like North Darfur’s camps and the Western Nuba Mountains. According to the latest Famine Review, over 24.6 million Sudanese people are grappling with acute food scarcity. That’s nearly a quarter of a nation in survival mode—a sobering thought indeed.

This SHARE project finds its financial windfall through the World Bank’s International Development Association with generous grants earmarked for WHO and UNICEF. Every penny aligning with national health priorities while echoing global goals of health equity and risk mitigation. The focus? A healthier population, no less.

For those keen to dive deeper: Loza Mesfin Tesfaye, WHO’s Sudan Communications Officer, is on standby, ready to field inquiries. And for a sprinkle of extra insight, Eva Hinds, UNICEF Sudan’s Chief of Communication, is your point of contact. Their roles crucial in amplifying the narrative of hope, health, and healing in a land yearning for normalcy once again.

Report By Axadle