South Sudan battles deadliest cholera outbreak in 20 years, nearly 700 dead

South Sudan is experiencing its worst cholera outbreak since independence in 2011, with nearly 700 deaths reported over six months, according to UNICEF. A total of 40,000 cholera cases have emerged, with half affecting children under 15, marking this as the deadliest outbreak in two decades. The ongoing violence between political factions has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis and facilitated the spread of the disease. The outbreak is part of a broader cholera crisis affecting eastern and southern Africa, where UNICEF reported over 178,000 cases and around 2,900 deaths across 16 countries from January 2024 to March 2025. Angola has also been severely impacted, with more than 7,500 cases and 294 deaths reported during the same period. The lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare services remains a critical concern, putting millions at risk amid climate-related challenges.