“Before the war, I had HIV treatment, counselling services and a sense of stability.” - Ibrahim (name changed to protect privacy) from the Sudanese People Living with HIV/AIDS Care Association in White Nile, Sudan
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has left tens of millions in need of humanitarian assistance. Six million people have fled violence, including a over a million to neighbouring countries like Chad, Egypt and South Sudan.
Sudan’s health system is under extreme pressure. Fearing assault, many health workers fled Khartoum. Attacks on health facilities have increased. According to the World Health Organization, security forces occupied the National Public Health Laboratory, the Central Blood Bank and the National Medical Supply Funds (NMSF) warehouse in Khartoum, which provide critical infrastructure for delivering healthcare nationally and remain inaccessible.
Sixty reported attacks on healthcare facilities, supplies and health workers, have resulted in 34 deaths and 38 injuries since fighting began in April. More than 70 percent of health facilities in conflict-affected states are out of service.
Access to healthcare is further threatened by medical supply shortages. The conflict makes transporting medicines and other health products unsafe, especially in parts of Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan, where severe fighting has occurred.
“Health facilities were destroyed, with provision of medical supplies disrupted as a result, contributing to lives lost. Those surviving lack access to HIV treatment and food and are spiralling downward mentally,” Ibrahim added.
Displacement of people and the lack of medical supplies and services are disrupting HIV and tuberculosis (TB) treatment courses, which increases the risk of death, drug resistance and disease transmission.
“The situation has worsened to a state of misery. Without HIV treatment, many have succumbed to the reality of a slow death,” Ibrahim lamented.
The Federal Ministry of Health estimates that the deteriorating health system and disease outbreaks due to the conflict have led to about 6,200 deaths across Sudan so far.
UNDP is supporting health workers, facilities and supply deliveries to continue life-saving medical services in Sudan in partnership with the Global Fund and others.
With the National Medical Supplies Fund and World Food Programme, UNDP is delivering medicines to health facilities that remain operational. The supplies will cover Sudan’s immediate needs to ensure continuity of treatment for 11,000 people living with HIV and keep the national TB programme on track to treat an expected 21,000 cases. Other essential medicines, including insulin, were also delivered with UNDP support.
UNDP is supporting the National HIV and TB Programme to map operational health facilities and trace all patients requiring HIV and TB treatment, many of whom have been displaced by fighting. Support for staffing, communications, fuel and operational costs for state health facilities and community-based TB and HIV services is also being provided.
In addition, UNDP is deploying nine mobile primary healthcare centres in remote, hard-to-reach areas, including for internally displaced people, with the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO and humanitarian NGOs.
UNDP is also supporting the rehabilitation of health systems. Supplies and equipment for laboratory diagnostic services, solar energy installations at 110 health facilities, oxygen supplied by seven pressure swing adsorption plants and cylinders and two large-volume biomedical waste incinerators are keeping health services operational.
These health programmes will help prevent worse consequences from the Sudan crisis and enhance capacities to prevent a wider HIV and TB outbreak. They are part of UNDP’s Sudan Emergency Community Stabilization Offer, which aims to safeguard development progress and address the underlying drivers of conflict, is also supporting emergency employment, continued agricultural production and essential services such as clean energy access and solar-powered water systems.
As the crisis in Sudan continues, health threats are rising. Millions of children are severely malnourished, weakening their immune systems and increasing their susceptibility to vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. Increased sexual violence could lead to higher HIV transmission, especially among displaced girls and women.
People need urgent assistance, including access to food, housing, health services and medical supplies. While the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund support for crisis response in Sudan has reached US$862 million, the funding remains critically low. The US$2.6 billion Humanitarian Response Plan has only reached a third of its target and more assistance is needed.
“We must care for people living with HIV, save whomever possible and limit the spread of disease because of this war,” Ibrahim appealed.
UNDP is committed to providing life-saving medical treatment and rehabilitating health systems across Sudan to continue its effort to support the Federal Ministry of Health and Sudanese people during the current crisis.
© 2026 United Nations Development Programme
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