Geneva – The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has allocated $1,607,729 in emergency funding to bolster tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment efforts in Sudan, focusing on internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the communities hosting them. The funding, channeled through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and in partnership with Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health’s National TB Programme and local organizations, will remain active through December 31, 2026.
The intervention comes as Sudan grapples with a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis triggered by ongoing conflict. As of this month, an estimated 11.75 million Sudanese are internally displaced, making Sudan the nation with the largest IDP population globally, according to the United Nations. The displacement has severely strained living conditions and access to healthcare, leading to overcrowding, increased rates of malnutrition, and disruptions in treatment regimens – all factors that contribute to heightened TB transmission and the emergence of drug-resistant strains.
Tuberculosis remains the world’s leading infectious disease killer. Effective diagnosis and treatment are critical to preventing widespread outbreaks; an untreated individual can infect 15 to 20 others within a single year. The Global Fund’s emergency funding aims to prevent a surge in cases amidst the chaos of the conflict.
“This proves part of our mission to ensure rapid access to TB diagnostics and treatment for communities devastated by the conflict,” stated Mark Edington, Head of Grant Management at the Global Fund. “Working with national authorities, local organizations, and international partners, we are prioritizing continuity of care and community-centered services to prevent further transmission and protect the most vulnerable.”
The emergency response will concentrate on ten states experiencing significant inflows of IDPs fleeing fighting in Darfur and Kordofan: Al Jazirah, Gedaref, Kassala, Khartoum, Northern (Addabah), North Kordofan, Red Sea, River Nile, Sennar, and White Nile. Support for states directly impacted by the conflict will continue through an existing TB grant initiated in 2023. This tiered approach acknowledges the varying levels of access and security across the country.
The funding will be used to procure essential diagnostic tools and medications, including GeneXpert cartridges and both first- and second-line TB drugs. Efforts will also be expanded to include early contact tracing, active case finding, rapid diagnosis, and swift initiation of treatment. Delivery of services will be facilitated through mobile primary healthcare units, community-based care initiatives, and existing TB management units. The UNDP will be responsible for the logistical challenges of delivering these services in a conflict zone.
The Global Fund established its Emergency Fund in 2014 to provide rapid and flexible financing during crises, ensuring the continuity of programs addressing HIV, TB, and malaria. Between 2014 and December 2024, the fund has committed over $149 million to countries facing conflict, environmental disasters, and other acute emergencies. The Sudan allocation represents a targeted response to a situation the Global Fund has identified as particularly critical.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has also disrupted other essential health services, raising concerns about a potential resurgence of other infectious diseases. The World Health Organization has warned of the risk of outbreaks of measles, cholera, and other preventable illnesses due to the breakdown of public health infrastructure and widespread displacement. The Global Fund’s intervention focuses specifically on TB, but acknowledges the interconnectedness of these health threats.
