The presence of Sudanese refugees in Libya no longer poses merely an economic threat, but now a significant health risk, as cholera begins to infiltrate their ranks. This new menace imperils their well-being and could reach Libya via Kufra, a city that daily receives dozens of Sudanese refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict.
Cholera threat just 200km from Libya
Amid escalating UN warnings about the potential spread of cholera from Sudan to neighbouring countries, health sources have recently reported a confirmed case and dozens of suspected cases in the Dougui camp for Sudanese refugees. This camp, located south of Adré in Chad, is less than 200 kilometres from Libya’s southeastern border, a region known as the “Border Triangle”.
The camp, one of the largest concentrations of Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad, shelters approximately 40,000 families. It is experiencing a critical deterioration in health and environmental conditions, raising fears of an epidemic outbreak with direct repercussions for neighbouring states, primarily Libya. Libya, in turn, faces significant challenges within its health sector, particularly in its adjacent southern regions.
According to a medical source within the camp, the confirmed case arrived recently amidst a clear weakness in the health response. Humanitarian workers report severe overcrowding, along with a complete absence of sanitation systems and clean drinking water. These conditions significantly increase the risk of the camp transforming into an “open epidemic hotspot” for the entire region.
WHO issues warning
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already cautioned that the cholera epidemic is not confined to Sudan but threatens to extend to neighbouring countries. This is particularly due to continued cross-border displacement and the exacerbation of seasonal environmental disasters, including the floods affecting several areas in Chad and Sudan.
In this context, calls are mounting within Libya to activate rapid surveillance and response mechanisms in its southern regions, especially in Sabha, Murzuq, and Ubari. These areas occasionally receive irregular refugees or displaced persons from the southern borders. Health specialists fear that the absence of regular screenings or proper oversight of refugee movements could contribute to the disease’s infiltration into Libya, unless urgent measures are taken.
Observers believe that despite not having recorded any cholera cases recently, Libya must treat the current alert with utmost seriousness. This necessitates enhanced coordination with the WHO, tightened control at all border crossings, and the preparation of emergency intervention teams in the south, in anticipation of any potential epidemic infiltration.
No cholera cases in Libya reported so far
In an exclusive statement to “Al-Manassa”, Idriss Mahjoub, the media spokesperson for Kufra’s Health Emergency Room, confirmed that no cholera cases have been recorded within Libyan territory to date. He emphasised that the health situation in Kufra remains stable and under full control.
The spokesperson refuted claims by some international organisations and the WHO suggesting the possibility of cholera cases existing in Libya without being officially recorded by Libyan authorities. He asserted that any new case would be announced immediately, aiming to alert citizens to take precautions and to secure necessary international medical support without delay.
Precautionary measures underway
Idriss Mahjoub, head of Kufra Municipality’s Health Emergency Room, also confirmed to “Al-Manassa” that all necessary precautionary measures have been implemented. Foremost among these is the Ministry of Health’s provision of large quantities of intravenous fluids specifically for cholera patients. Furthermore, dedicated facilities have been established to receive any registered cases, equipped with specialised medical teams ready to handle the disease.
Mahjoub clarified to “Al-Manassa” that the medical resources currently available are only sufficient to address a minor and contained outbreak. He indicated that should a large number of cases be recorded, the situation could spiral out of control, as Kufra’s health system would be unable to withstand a widespread epidemic.
He also expressed concern to “Al-Manassa” about the potential for cholera cases to be recorded in Libya. This stems from Kufra’s daily reception of large numbers of Sudanese refugees, any of whom could be asymptomatic carriers of the disease, thus posing a potential source of infection.
The National Centre for Disease Control had announced in 2022 that no cholera cases were recorded within Libyan territory, following outbreaks at that time in several countries including Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iran. Even with cholera now approaching and threatening Libya, no new official statement has been issued regarding the situation.
Alarming epidemiological situation
These developments are highly concerning amidst the continuing surge in cholera cases in Sudan. Last week, the country recorded 661 new infections and 13 deaths, bringing the cumulative number of cases since the outbreak began to over 87,000, including 2,264 fatalities, according to figures from the Federal Ministry of Health in Khartoum.
What is unfolding today is not merely a transient health crisis, but a humanitarian tragedy silently escalating. With the continued, unregulated influx of refugees, the risk intensifies, not only for their health but for public health across the entire region, demanding urgent and comprehensive action.
