18 September 2023 – On 27 August 2023, WHO handed over to the Federal Ministry of Health critically needed equipment and supplies to upgrade the Public Health Laboratory in Port Sudan to National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) status in place of the NPHL in Khartoum, which has been out of service since April 2023 due to the conflict in Sudan. The functions of the laboratory are critically needed for public health emergency preparedness and response, particularly during the rainy season when there is heightened risk of floods and disease outbreaks.