Portuguese MEP Sebastião Bugalho (PPE) has asked the European Commission what concrete measures it is taking to support Sudan's health response amid a worsening cholera outbreak, warning that the rainy season could aggravate the epidemic. The question, tabled on 15 July 2026, highlights that 65% of Sudan's population lacks access to essential healthcare and that the cholera outbreak has already killed over a hundred people. Bugalho also asks how the EU is coordinating with the UN and humanitarian partners to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and prepare for future health emergencies.
The written parliamentary question follows the Council's recent adoption of measures targeting Sudan's war economy, which Bugalho welcomes as a positive step. However, he stresses that the health dimension must not be overlooked, given that over 33 million people need humanitarian assistance. The MEP's intervention puts pressure on the Commission to detail its financial and operational support for cholera vaccination, clean water access, and health service reinforcement.
he asks for specific measures on outbreak response and coordination mechanisms. The Commission is expected to reply within roughly six weeks, and its answer will signal the EU's policy direction on health aid in conflict settings. The question impacts EU humanitarian agencies, Sudanese civilians, international health NGOs, and EU member states as donors.