Displaced families in Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region are grappling with a rapidly spreading measles outbreak, amid ongoing violence that has devastated healthcare infrastructure and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has warned that hospitals are overwhelmed, with new cases arriving daily. Dr. Ali Almohammed, MSF’s emergency health manager, told Al Jazeera that the Nyala Teaching Hospital in South Darfur has just 25 isolation beds for measles patients, which is insufficient given the increasing caseload.

“The capacity of MSF to respond to all the needs of the people in Darfur is really limited. We are focusing on lifesaving medical care, but our resources are stretched,” Almohammed said from Amsterdam.

Measles Cases Surge

Since September, MSF has documented more than 1,300 new measles cases in Darfur. Measles, a highly contagious disease, causes fever, coughing, and rashes, and can be deadly for children under five.

Although nearly 179,000 Sudanese children were vaccinated over six months last year, this is only a fraction of the estimated 5 million children at risk. Violence and logistical hurdles have prevented most vaccination campaigns in North Darfur, including el-Fasher, and in East Darfur.

MSF also warned of the rising threat from other preventable diseases, including diphtheria and whooping cough, due to the lack of vaccines.

“Shipping vaccines has been difficult due to violence and administrative barriers. Authorities and UNICEF must urgently coordinate to increase delivery of vaccines, syringes, and medical supplies,” the organization said.

Conflict Exacerbates Humanitarian Crisis

Darfur has seen a surge in fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). More than 100,000 people fled el-Fasher after an 18-month RSF siege ended in October. The United Nations has described the region as “the epicentre of human suffering in the world,” with civilians lacking access to food, medicine, and basic necessities.

Attacks on healthcare facilities have further strained the situation. According to the World Health Organization, assaults on medical facilities have killed 1,858 people and wounded 490 since April 2023. Additionally, at least 70 health workers and 5,000 civilians have been detained in Nyala in recent months.

The Sudan Doctors Network reported 234 medical workers killed, 507 injured, and 59 missing since the conflict began. While nine detained medical workers were recently released, calls continue for the release of all detained healthcare personnel and civilians.

Urgent Need for Aid

MSF emphasizes that without rapid, unimpeded delivery of vaccines and medical aid, the outbreak is likely to worsen. The organization urges international agencies and Sudanese authorities to prioritize vaccination campaigns and protect healthcare workers in the region