Situation: Sudan’s economic crisis has also impacted the availability of medicines (UNOCHA, August 2021). From the available SMoH data, there is understaffing of both health facilities and nutrition delivery points as well as a steady increase of morbidity in the target areas due to malaria, respiratory tract infections and diarrhoea.

Impact: Covid-19 restrictions posed logistical challenges as drug trucks could not leave Khartoum thus creating artificial shortage of medical supplies in far flung states including Central Darfur, Jebel Marra. This is even more alarming for Darfur, which has already seen a 25% reduction in functional health facilities since 2018-2021 (Sudan Situation Report, Aug 27 2021) with the cost of health services having increased by 90 % in 20205. Sudan has a high maternal mortality rate and 15% of pregnant women are likely to experience birth related complications and need to access emergency obstetric and neonatal care services including referral services.

Response: Essential medicines and baby kits were distributed, reaching approximately 15,000 beneficiaries. The increase in hospital attendance went from 75% to 92% with this distribution.

IWF Procured and delivered Essential Medicines and Medical Supplies to 10 Primary Health Centres in West Jabal Marra. The medicines will be stored in IRW stores and distributed to the PHCs on needs basis based on each and every PHC consumption rates and patient attendance. Free of cost medication will be provided to the patients visiting the clinics.