Tuesday 15 September 2026
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Sudan's healthcare system on brink of collapse after global funding cuts, MSF warns

Medical charity says dozens of organisations lost support after USAID closure and European aid reductions

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By LineZotpaper
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Sudan’s fragile health system is nearing collapse as global funding cuts force the closure of healthcare facilities across the country, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned. The medical charity said dozens of organisations could not find alternative funding after the United States — previously the largest donor to Sudan — closed USAID last year, and as European governments also reduced assistance.

More than 33 million people in Sudan need medical assistance, according to MSF, amid the civil war that erupted in April 2023 between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

MSF said that while the US remains the largest donor to Sudan, existing grants to many USAID-funded organisations expired in June. European governments are also cutting international aid. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), global aid fell by 21.3% in 2025 compared with the previous year.

“War is driving Sudan's needs; funding cuts are shrinking the response,” said Muhammad Ibrahim, MSF’s head of operations in Sudan. He noted that MSF’s own work in the country is privately funded, but when other health services lose funding, clinics close, patients have fewer options, and the pressure shifts to the remaining facilities.

MSF urged world leaders gathering at the UN General Assembly in New York to take action to prevent the complete collapse of Sudan’s healthcare system.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Sudan’s healthcare collapse would directly affect millions of civilians already suffering from war, displacement, and disease.
  • The funding cuts reflect a broader global trend of declining international aid, which could worsen humanitarian crises in other conflict zones.
  • Without urgent intervention, the burden on the few remaining private and NGO-run facilities will become unsustainable.

Background

Sudan has been locked in a brutal civil war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, creating severe shortages of food, water, and medical care. The health system, already weakened by decades of instability, has been further devastated by the war, with many hospitals bombed or looted. International aid has been a critical lifeline, but donor fatigue and geopolitical shifts have led to significant reductions in funding.

Key Perspectives

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF): The charity warns that the closure of USAID-funded programmes and European aid cuts are directly causing clinic closures, shifting an impossible burden onto remaining services. MSF is calling for immediate action from global leaders.

International donors (US, European governments): The US closure of USAID and European aid reductions reflect competing domestic priorities and budget constraints. The OECD data shows a 21.3% drop in global aid in 2025, indicating a systemic shift away from foreign assistance.

Sudanese civilians: The population, already enduring one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, faces reduced access to even basic healthcare as facilities close. The most vulnerable — including the wounded, pregnant women, and children — are disproportionately affected.

What to Watch

  • The UN General Assembly session in New York, where MSF is urging world leaders to pledge new funding.
  • Whether other donor countries step in to fill the gap left by the US and European cuts.
  • The potential for further deterioration of Sudan’s health indicators, including disease outbreaks and maternal mortality rates.

Sources

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Articles published under the Zotpaper byline are synthesized from multiple source publications by our AI editor and reviewed by our editorial process. Each story combines reporting from credible outlets to give readers a balanced, comprehensive view.

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