Major clean ups in East Darfur to prevent the spread of cholera

Eldaen town in East Darfur has experienced a significant influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) due to the war that erupted in April 2023. Consequently, managing the garbage has become a challenging task.

According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), East Darfur is hosting the second largest number of people displaced by the ongoing crisis, with over 500,000 IDPs, majority of whom were in Eldaen town.

Unfortunately, outbreaks of cholera and dengue fever surfaced in some of the states that were hosting large gatherings of IDPs. In response, World Vision Sudan implemented a WASH response in Eldaen town, targeting IDPs in transit through the town, as well as those already residing in the town and the host community.

The aim of the response was to improve the quality of life of the IDPs and host communities, improve their health status and prevent outbreak of WASH related diseases.

World Vision has since been conducting clean up campaigns, disinfection and pest control campaigns and facilitating garbage collection and disposal in various parts of Eldaen town, in collaboration with Ministry of Health and the community.

There was a clean-up at Albroush market which had become synonymous with heaps of garbage and foul smells. The garbage was fully cleaned up and disposed at the treatment site. The community took advantage of the reclaimed space and clean environment to set up small scale businesses and social spaces for watching football and movies, to boost their income and resilience during this difficult time.

Fortunately, at the time of publishing this report, there have been no reported outbreaks of dengue or cholera in Eldaen town.