AGP Executive Report

Sudan Conflict & Civilian Health: Sudan Doctors Network reports RSF-linked forces killed 27 civilians in North Kordofan’s al-Murrah area during Eid al-Adha, in villages said to have no military presence—another blow to already collapsing access to care. Ebola Alert Across Borders: WHO is convening experts as the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC outpaces response; Congo is seeking an experimental monoclonal antibody (MBP-134) via a clinical trial, while Uganda and regional partners tighten preparedness. Travel & Screening Measures: Emirates issued an Ebola travel advisory after the US and Canada increased entry screening for travellers connected to Uganda, highlighting how outbreaks quickly reshape health checks at airports. Maternal Health Setback: New reporting warns progress on maternal mortality is slowing globally, with conflict and fragile health systems—like Sudan’s—pushing more deaths and complications. Health in War: Human Rights Watch marks a decade since UN Security Council Resolution 2286 on protecting healthcare in conflict, saying attacks on hospitals and workers remain alarmingly common. Sudan Civil Society Politics: A Sudanese Declaration of Principles Forces coalition signed a new charter aimed at civilian-led transition and safer humanitarian access—key for protecting health services amid fighting.

Violence & Civilians: A Sudan Doctors Network report says forces linked to the Rapid Support Forces killed 27 people in al-Murrah area west of Barah town in North Kordofan during an attack on villages during a major Muslim holiday, including elderly victims. Ebola Preparedness & Travel Risk: Emirates issued an Ebola travel advisory after the US and Canada tightened entry rules for travellers connected to Uganda, warning of extra checks and documentation on arrival. Ebola Treatment Push (DRC): Congo’s health ministry says it has requested an experimental US monoclonal antibody (MBP-134) for the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, with use planned under a clinical trial framework. Global Health Accountability: Human Rights Watch marks UN Security Council Resolution 2286’s 10th anniversary, warning that attacks on hospitals and healthcare workers continue despite the legal duty to protect health in conflict. Sudan Humanitarian Strain: Coverage reiterates Sudan’s civil war as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with health facilities hit and millions facing acute food insecurity and malnutrition.

Ebola Preparedness in Sudan’s Region: While Sudan remains in the spotlight for war-driven health collapse, the wider region is bracing for Ebola. Uganda has shut its border with DRC over the outbreak, and WHO has warned that border closures can backfire—yet the pressure is rising as cases climb. Ebola Response in Central Africa: The DRC is seeking access to an experimental monoclonal antibody as infections and deaths surge, with WHO stressing that fighting and displacement are blocking isolation and contact tracing. Humanitarian Health Crisis in Sudan: A new report calls Sudan’s civil war the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with 33+ million people needing aid, including millions facing acute food insecurity and children suffering severe malnutrition—conditions that fuel disease outbreaks and strain health services. Sudan Civil Society Politics (Health Access Angle): A new Sudanese Declaration of Principles charter pushes for safe humanitarian corridors and civilian-led transition, aiming to protect civilians and restore basic services amid ongoing conflict. Hajj Heat and Health Risks: Hajj and Eid al-Adha proceeded under extreme heat above 42°C, with authorities urging hydration and heat-safety—another reminder of how quickly health risks escalate during mass gatherings. Medicines Supply Shock: India’s role as a major supplier of affordable medicines to Africa is highlighted, but the corridor is under strain as regional conflict disrupts logistics.

Ebola Alert (DRC/Uganda): WHO has declared the Bundibugyo strain outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with reports of hundreds of suspected cases and deaths amid conflict-hit areas where detection and trust are weak. Border Controls (Uganda): Uganda shut its DRC border “with immediate effect,” allowing only response teams, humanitarian work, cargo, and security—while anyone entering under emergency terms faces mandatory 21-day isolation. Preparedness (Sudan-linked region): With Sudan war and displacement worsening health risks, the wider region is bracing for outbreaks as UN warnings highlight rising disease outbreaks during conflict. Ebola Screening (US, Houston): Houston officials say Ebola screening has started at George Bush Intercontinental Airport for travelers returning from affected African countries, stressing low local risk and federal coordination. Vaccine Race (Oxford/partners): Oxford researchers are scaling a Bundibugyo vaccine candidate (ChAdOx1 BDBV) using rapid manufacturing partnerships, while experts stress community engagement as key to stopping spread. Health Access Pressure (refugees): A separate report on refugee healthcare cuts shows how co-pays and delays can block essential services like emergency dental care, raising concerns for vulnerable populations during outbreaks.

Ebola Response in Focus: Uganda has closed its border with the DRC “with immediate effect” after a surge of cases among health workers, allowing only Ebola response teams, humanitarian work, essential cargo and security under strict screening and 21-day isolation rules. Public Health Emergency: The WHO has declared the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, with hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths reported across eastern DRC and Uganda. Community Trust and Control: Researchers warn this outbreak is a “perfect storm” of a rare strain with no licensed vaccines or treatments plus conflict-linked mobility, weak health systems, and low community trust—meaning engagement matters as much as vaccines. Sudan Health Strain: In Sudan’s South Kordofan, displaced families in the Nuba Mountains say weeks after attacks they still lack food, clean water, and medical care. Sudan Humanitarian Needs: Survivors of the al-Fashir assault describe captivity, beatings, stolen belongings, and mass flight into Chad’s border areas, underscoring the urgent health and protection gaps for civilians. Vaccine and Treatment Pipeline: Oxford researchers are developing a viral-vector vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, while other groups report thermostable vaccine platforms and antiviral compound testing aimed at faster, safer outbreak response. Travel Screening Abroad: Houston has started Ebola screenings for travelers returning from affected African regions, including DRC, Sudan and Uganda, as precautions ramp up.

Ebola response accelerates: Oxford University’s Oxford Vaccine Group is developing and trialling a viral-vector vaccine for the current DR Congo Ebola outbreak, with a possible workable vaccine in 2–3 months if animal results hold, as WHO rates the risk “very high” and reports about 220 deaths. Ebola funding and containment pressure: African health leaders say the outbreak has already outgrown earlier phases at declaration, with 900+ suspected cases and 100+ confirmed across DR Congo and Uganda, while nearly $500m is pledged for response and vaccine/therapeutic work races to match the strain. Sudan health strain in the background: UN-linked reporting continues to flag Sudan as a persistent famine and displacement hotspot, with hunger rising amid aid cuts. Hospital readiness in focus: South Africa’s Charlotte Maxeke Hospital is set to reopen fire-damaged wards on a timeline tied to Ebola preparedness. Humanitarian system strain: A Lancet-linked critique says global aid is “no longer fit for purpose,” even as crises multiply.

Humanitarian System Under Strain: A new Lancet report says the global aid machine is “no longer fit for purpose,” warning that bureaucratic delays and political pressure are leaving civilians—especially in Sudan—without timely health support. Sudan Conflict’s Health Fallout: UN-linked coverage highlights how war is driving mass displacement and cutting access to care, while UNDP reports Sudan’s electricity grid has taken up to $3bn in damage since 2023—pushing clinics and households toward costly solar and worsening service gaps. Ebola Watch in the Region: Uganda has given schools a one-week grace period to fully enforce Ebola safety rules after fresh cases tied to the DRC outbreak; meanwhile, the DRC outbreak is spreading fast and still has no approved treatment for this strain. Diplomacy vs. Escalation: Amid US-Iran talks and renewed strikes, the wider Middle East remains volatile, with humanitarian logistics threatened by conflict spillovers. Community Care Signals: In Egypt, Sudanese refugees rely on night-shift clinics for trauma-linked mental health crises, including frequent suicide attempts.

Obstetric fistula care: Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos says it has performed free fistula surgeries for more than 2,000 Nigerian women, marking International Day to End Obstetric Fistula with patient stories and a push to tackle child marriage as a key driver of prolonged obstructed labour. Ebola emergency pressure: In DR Congo, the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has already triggered WHO’s Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with reports of mobs storming Ebola clinics and treatment sites as suspected cases and deaths climb—while scientists still stress there are no approved vaccines or treatments for this strain. Sudan health system strain: A UNDP study estimates up to $3bn damage to Sudan’s electricity grid since the war began, pushing clinics and households toward costly solar workarounds. Middle East conflict spillover: US-Iran tensions and renewed strikes around the Strait of Hormuz keep humanitarian logistics jittery, raising the risk of delays for medicines and vaccines. Food and health risks: Eid al-Adha preparations in Egypt and Bangladesh highlight affordability stress and the danger of adulterated spices.

Ebola emergency, again: WHO and Africa CDC have rolled out a six‑month, $319m plan to curb Ebola as the rare Bundibugyo strain surges in DRC and Uganda, with WHO warning of “scale and speed” and noting there’s still no licensed vaccine or treatment for this strain. Clinic security under strain: In Ituri, mobs have stormed Ebola clinics, including a Mongbwalu incident with gunfire as families demanded infected bodies for funerals—an escalation that threatens containment. Sudan’s health system strain: A UNDP study says Sudan’s electricity grid has taken up to $3bn in damage since the war began, pushing hospitals and clinics toward costly solar and hybrid power. War’s wider toll: UN-linked reporting highlights how conflict is driving disease risk and disrupting aid logistics. Diplomacy noise, regional ripple: Trump’s Iran talks and renewed push for Arab states to join the Abraham Accords are dominating headlines, while Benin signals a possible détente with Niger—developments that can affect cross-border health cooperation.

Eid demand surge: Widam Food Company says it sold about 7,000 subsidised sheep in the first three days of its Eid al-Adha programme, offering 12,500 subsidised sheep to eligible Qatari citizens at QR1,050 (with slaughter, skinning and cutting) plus 5,000 non-subsidised Sudanese “Sawakin” sheep at QR1,250, across six sites with electronic ID checks to prevent duplicate use. Ebola emergency pressure: WHO declared the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern, with no licensed vaccine for this strain and rapid spread raising fears of wider regional containment challenges. Aid logistics strained: UNHCR warns that Middle East conflict disruptions—especially around the Strait of Hormuz—are delaying shipments of medicines and relief supplies, just as funding gaps deepen. Sudan-linked health harm: Aid workers highlight how Sudan’s war-driven sexual violence is producing traumatic fistula cases that are often missing from global health conversations. Regional context: Livestock markets across the region report rising Eid prices amid conflict and supply shortages.

Ebola Alarm in Central Africa: WHO has declared an Ebola public health emergency of international concern as a rare Bundibugyo strain spreads in the DRC and reaches Uganda, with hundreds of suspected cases and deaths reported and experts warning containment is hard without vaccines or proven treatments. Vaccine Race: UK researchers are rushing a Bundibugyo vaccine using the same platform as the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID jab, aiming for fast clinical trials if animal testing holds. Sudan War’s Hidden Injuries: In Sudan, aid workers say the world is missing the most urgent fistula story—traumatic fistulas caused by sexual violence tied to the conflict, with women waiting for surgery near the Chad border. Sudan Missing Persons: Families in Khartoum keep searching as thousands of people remain unaccounted for, with many feared buried in unmarked graves. Eid Livestock Shock (Sudan-linked): Eid Al-Adha prices are rising across the region; in Kuwait, Sudanese sheep are reported among the higher-priced options, reflecting war-driven supply strain. Power Disruption (Abuja): Nigeria’s capital saw a major blackout hitting key government sites and airports, underscoring how fragile services remain.

Ebola Emergency: WHO has declared an Ebola public health emergency of international concern as a rare Bundibugyo strain spreads in the DRC and reaches Uganda, with reports of hundreds of suspected cases and deaths and experts warning the outbreak is harder to contain because key tools (tests, vaccines, treatments) are limited for this strain. Sudan Health Fallout: Sudan’s war continues to fuel neglected, conflict-linked injuries and health needs, including traumatic fistula cases tied to sexual violence, while families still search for missing relatives and unmarked graves complicate care and recovery. Research Race: Scientists and labs are pushing experimental antivirals and vaccine ideas, but officials stress that near-term protection is unlikely. Power Disruption (Regional): Separate reports from Abuja describe major blackouts affecting government sites and airports, underscoring how fragile infrastructure can quickly disrupt health services.

Ebola Alert in Central Africa: Former CDC chief Robert Redfield warns the fast-growing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak could become a “very significant pandemic,” stressing it was not detected early enough and could spread beyond the DRC into neighboring regions. Sudan’s War’s Hidden Injuries: On International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, Sudan-based clinicians say the world is missing the most urgent layer—traumatic fistulas caused by sexual violence tied to the war, with women waiting for surgery on the Chad-Sudan border. Sudan Missing Persons: The ICRC says more than 8,000 people are missing after the conflict, with many feared buried in unmarked graves as families search hospitals, morgues, and camps. Health Aid Under Fire: Italy and UNOPS launch a €4.5m push to expand dialysis in Sudan’s Kassala, while UN reports drone strikes and shelling have damaged health facilities and destroyed supplies in Kordofan. Power Disruption (Context): Separate reports from Abuja describe major blackouts hitting key government sites and embassies, underscoring how fragile services can quickly compound health risks.

Sudan Missing Crisis: Khartoum families are still searching for thousands of people lost during the war. The ICRC says more than 8,000 are missing, with many feared buried in unmarked graves after fighting made formal burials impossible. One case—Fahmy al-Fateh—has left his wife and child living with a year-plus of unanswered calls and rumors. War Crimes & Accountability: New reporting alleges the UAE helped enable RSF atrocities, including mass executions, starvation tactics, and sexual violence, raising fresh pressure for investigations. Humanitarian Access: A key South Kordofan aid route reopened after SAF control moves, but UN warnings stress civilians remain in danger as drone strikes hit near health facilities. Ebola Shockwaves: While Sudan isn’t the outbreak center, Ebola preparedness is tightening regionally; meanwhile, MAF evacuated an Ebola-exposed family from Africa, and the U.S. expanded airport screening for travelers linked to Sudan and nearby countries.

Ebola emergency, no vaccine yet: The WHO has declared the Congo–Uganda Ebola outbreak a public health emergency, but the key problem is still the same: for the Bundibugyo strain driving this wave, there are no approved vaccines or proven treatments, and officials say any vaccine could take 6–9 months to be ready. Conflict blocks care: In eastern DRC, fighting and militia control are fragmenting access, while aid cuts and collapsing trust are slowing detection and response. Sudan’s health front line stays exposed: As humanitarian routes reopen in South Kordofan, UN warnings highlight how strikes are still hitting health facilities and supplies. Humanitarian funding pressure: Separate coverage at the World Health Assembly spotlights a humanitarian shortfall that weakens surveillance and emergency response just as outbreaks surge. Regional alert spreads: Uganda has confirmed imported cases and issued public guidance, while Sudanese embassies in Kampala urged precautions as the region braces.

Sudan Missing, Unmarked Graves: Khartoum families are still waiting for answers as more than 8,000 people have gone missing during Sudan’s three-year war, with many believed buried in unmarked graves after fighting made cemetery burials too dangerous. Ebola Escalation in Congo: Health authorities say the current Congo outbreak is spreading after weeks of undetected transmission, with the Bundibugyo strain driving concern because there are no proven vaccines or treatments yet. Experimental Countermeasures: The U.S. is working with San Diego biotech Mapp Biopharmaceutical and BARDA to prepare an investigational monoclonal antibody treatment for possible emergency use in high-risk exposures, coordinated with federal agencies. Global Civilian Toll: The UN warns civilians are dying at alarming rates in conflicts worldwide, with medical care increasingly attacked—an urgent backdrop for Sudan’s health and humanitarian crisis. What’s thin: This week’s Sudan-specific health updates are dominated by missing-person reporting; detailed new medical access figures were limited.