## Understanding the Alarming Rise in Measles in Conflict Zones A disturbing trend is emerging from the world's conflict-affected regions: a significant surge in measles cases, placing the lives of countless children at grave risk. Last year, countries grappling with conflict witnessed a more than 25% increase in confirmed measles infections. This alarming rise, documented by organizations like Save the Children, highlights a complex crisis fueled by disruptions to healthcare, cuts in international aid, and the pervasive spread of vaccine misinformation. Despite making up only about 15% of the global child population in countries reporting measles, these conflict zones shockingly accounted for nearly 30% of all confirmed cases in 2025. This disproportionate burden underscores how conflict creates an environment where preventable diseases, especially measles, can thrive unchecked. Experts caution that the true number of infections is likely far higher, as shattered health systems often struggle to report cases accurately. ## Measles: A Highly Contagious, Potentially Deadly Threat Measles is much more than just a childhood rash; it's a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to severe complications and even death. The virus spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, making it particularly dangerous in crowded settings or areas with low vaccination rates. Initial symptoms often resemble a common cold, including fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. These are soon followed by a distinctive rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downwards. Without proper medical care, measles can result in serious health issues such as pneumonia, which is a leading cause of death in young children, and encephalitis, a dangerous inflammation of the brain. Other complications include severe diarrhea, ear infections, and even permanent blindness. For children whose immune systems are already weakened by malnutrition or other illnesses, common in conflict zones, measles can be particularly devastating. Fortunately, this severe illness is almost entirely preventable with a safe and highly effective vaccine. ## Why Conflict Zones Are Breeding Grounds for Outbreaks Conflict creates a perfect storm for infectious disease outbreaks. When hostilities erupt, healthcare systems often collapse. Hospitals are damaged or destroyed, medical supplies become scarce, and healthcare workers are forced to flee. This breakdown means routine immunization programs, which are essential for controlling diseases like measles, come to a grinding halt. Children miss their scheduled vaccinations, leaving them vulnerable. Mass displacement is another critical factor. Families uprooted from their homes often live in crowded camps or temporary shelters, where sanitation is poor and the risk of disease transmission is high. Accessing basic health services, including vaccinations, becomes incredibly challenging for these mobile populations. Furthermore, chronic stress and food insecurity in conflict areas lead to widespread malnutrition, further weakening children's immune systems and making them more susceptible to severe measles infections. ## The Destructive Power of Vaccine Misinformation and Mistrust Beyond the physical destruction caused by conflict, an insidious threat—vaccine misinformation—is undermining public health efforts. False information about vaccine safety and effectiveness spreads rapidly, often through social media and word-of-mouth, eroding trust in medical professionals and life-saving immunizations. This misinformation can be particularly potent in communities where trust in authorities is already low due to conflict or past grievances. Save the Children highlights instances where deeply ingrained beliefs or disinformation campaigns have led parents to refuse vaccinations for their children. Iya Saheed, a mother from Lagos, Nigeria, initially relied on traditional remedies, believing a special herbal concoction would protect her children. It was only after community health volunteers patiently explained how vaccines work and addressed her concerns that she decided to vaccinate her children. Her powerful testimony, “I should have done before what I am doing now. Had the community health worker not come to my house and taught me [about vaccines], my children could maybe have died by now,” underscores the vital role of trusted community engagement in combating misinformation. ## A Global Health Setback: Impact of Aid Cuts The global commitment to health, particularly in vulnerable regions, is faltering. Cuts to international aid have severe repercussions, directly impacting the ability of humanitarian organizations to deliver essential services, including vaccination campaigns. Reduced funding means fewer vaccines can be procured, fewer health workers can be trained and deployed, and crucial supply chains for transporting and storing vaccines are disrupted. This lack of sustained investment creates gaps in immunization coverage, leaving millions of children unprotected. This trend reverses decades of progress. Since its introduction, the measles vaccine has saved millions of lives globally, with nearly 20 million lives saved in Africa alone since 2000. Undermining these efforts through aid cuts not only endangers current generations but also risks rolling back hard-won gains in global public health. ## Spotlight on Affected Nations: Sudan, Nigeria, and Beyond The grim statistics are reflected in specific countries enduring conflict. In Sudan, three years of ongoing conflict have completely devastated the health system. Supply chains for vaccines and other medical necessities are shattered, leading to repeated measles outbreaks. Reported cases in Sudan quintupled between 2024 and 2025, with over a thousand more cases confirmed in early 2026 alone. Nigeria faces a compounded crisis where conflict, service disruptions, vaccine stockouts, and persistent mistrust, fueled by disinformation, have resulted in some of the highest numbers of unvaccinated children globally. Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon are also among the 18 conflict-affected nations that reported significant measles increases, highlighting a widespread and urgent challenge across diverse regions. ## The Lifesaving Power of Vaccines and Urgent Calls to Action The solution to this escalating crisis is clear and scientifically proven: vaccination. Two doses of the measles vaccine provide approximately 97% protection, virtually eliminating the risk of infection. As the world observes World Immunization Week, led by the WHO annually in late April, the spotlight is firmly on the crucial importance of vaccines in preventing diseases. Laura Cardinal, Save the Children’s senior health lead, warns that measles, a largely preventable disease, is once again threatening young lives. She stresses that outbreaks in conflict zones are especially concerning because children there are often already weakened by malnutrition and lack access to basic health services. Save the Children, a leader in expanding immunization services in challenging settings for over 30 years, is urgently calling for renewed global efforts. ## Reaching Every Child: The Path Forward Protecting children from measles requires a concerted, multi-faceted approach. Urgent and sustained investment from governments and international donors is crucial to support the delivery of essential health services, particularly in countries affected by conflict and crisis. This includes funding for vaccine procurement, cold chain maintenance, and the deployment of healthcare professionals. Moreover, collaborative efforts from all governments and partners are needed to increase vaccine rates. This involves robust community engagement strategies, like the one that helped Iya Saheed, to build trust, combat misinformation, and ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to life-saving immunizations. By prioritizing health systems, humanitarian aid, and trusted information, the global community can protect the most vulnerable children from the devastating impact of measles and other preventable diseases.