Reaching more than 169,000 people per month through 75 health facilities/nutrition centers  

(GEDAREF, Sudan) December 13, 2024 – Due to its ongoing civil war, Sudan is one of the hardest places in the world to access or provide professional health care. The conflict has left immense infrastructure damage and forced many medical professionals to flee. Amid the violence and uncertainty, Medical Teams International, a global health and humanitarian relief organization, is restoring life-saving health care to internally displaced people, refugees, and host populations. 

Since April 2023 when the war began, about 70% of Sudan’s health facilities have been looted, damaged, or destroyed. Forcible displacement has reached a new high – more than 12 million people as of December 8, according to the International Organization for Migration. Also, the nation’s hunger crisis has left more than half of the population food-insecure, and some areas now meet the criteria for famine. 

The extreme, escalating need for health services is far greater than can be addressed through one solution or one organization, so collaboration is key. Also, health care must be accessible to people on the move and in overcrowded camps, so Medical Teams and its local partners provide services through mobile units as well as at fixed sites. 

The Process and Challenges of Restoring Basic Health Services 

Establishing health services in Sudan comes with significant challenges. Many facilities need extensive renovations to provide safe and effective care. Additionally, safety concerns in conflict-affected areas can hinder operations and staff deployment. Environmental factors, particularly during the rainy season, can further complicate accessibility, occasionally impeding the timely delivery of essential supplies. Despite these obstacles, Medical Teams remains committed to finding solutions that enhance healthcare access for vulnerable communities. 

 Collaboration and Partnerships 

Medical Teams is recognized for its ability to successfully establish and re-establish health services in areas where others have faced challenges. Our tailored approach considers the unique needs, cultural contexts, and logistical hurdles of each region we serve. We prioritize building strong relationships with local leaders, communities, and government entities, fostering collaboration and trust. Also, our dedicated team of skilled professionals is committed to working in high-need areas, ensuring that we can effectively address health challenges. This combination of community engagement, cultural understanding, and professional expertise enables Medical Teams to set up and sustain health care services where others have struggled to make an impact. 

Medical Teams collaborates with several key partners, including UNHCR, World Food Programme, International Organization for Migration, and UNICEF, along with the Ministry of Health and local NGOs. These partnerships are essential to our mission, providing vital funding and resources that enhance our capacity to deliver health services. Together, we work to implement activities across diverse communities, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the care and support they need. 

 Current Impact & Growth Ahead 

Medical Teams is supporting 75 health facilities/nutrition centers in Khartoum, Gedaref, and White Nile states and is serving a catchment population of 860,631 individuals. We employ 1045 people, mostly Sudanese, and have trained and work alongside 650 community health volunteers. Because of this network of staff and volunteers, we reach an average of 169,107 people each month. These volunteers are instrumental in helping Medical Teams provide timely, critical care to children and families in camps, screening for diseases like malaria and cholera and helping to monitor cases of malnutrition.

Medical Teams will be expanding its response in Sudan in 2025 to help meet immense and increasing needs. To make a donation to support Medical Teams’ work in Sudan, visit https://donate.medicalteams.org/sudan-crisis 

 About Medical Teams International 

Founded in 1979, Medical Teams International provides life-saving medical care for people in crisis, such as refugees, internally displaced persons, and survivors of conflict zones and natural disasters. Daring to love like Jesus, we care for the whole person and serve all people. Learn more at medicalteams.org and on social media using @medicalteams.  

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