The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced its collaboration with South Sudanese health authorities and partners to intensify cholera prevention efforts, including a nationwide vaccination campaign.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Anita Kiki Gbeho, emphasised the urgency of unified efforts:
“Now, more than ever, collective action is essential to ease tensions, address political differences, and achieve meaningful progress in the peace process,” she stated.
Since the cholera outbreak was declared in October 2024, UN agencies and partners have documented over 80,000 cholera cases and 1,400 deaths.
This is in addition to regional outbreaks of mpox, hepatitis, and measles among other communicable diseases.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest country is experiencing its worst and longest cholera outbreak on the eve of the fourteenth anniversary of its independence.
The outbreak which started in September 2024 and was confirmed a month later comes amidst a protracted humanitarian crisis exacerbated by rising intercommunal violence, climate shocks such as flooding and catastrophic hunger.
South Sudanese authorities, civil society, and UN agencies held an inter-ministerial meeting on Monday to discuss what they called an “alarming escalation” in the spread of the outbreak.
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“This is not merely a public health crisis, but a multi-sectoral emergency exacerbated by flooding, displacement, and limited access to basic services,” the ministers wrote in a communiqué released.
The group resolved to facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access to areas which already have outbreaks and to other areas at risk for outbreaks. The Government of South Sudan will coordinate these efforts.
Partners will also work to preposition materials, improve water and sanitation infrastructure and coordinate proactive and reactive vaccination campaigns.
With the peak of the rainy season on the horizon, the next eight weeks are critical in containing and mitigating the outbreak before severe flooding begins.
“Time is of the essence to prevent a further escalation of the outbreak,” the officials wrote.
The UN and its partners are working quickly to preposition emergency supplies, especially in these previously low-risk areas, but they are hampered by funding shortfalls.
Agencies estimate that they will need $1.69 billion of which they have only received $368 million to address the many intersecting humanitarian needs in the country.
Nevertheless, the group of ministers insisted that this outbreak is and must remain a priority for all involved.
“Cholera response and flood preparedness must be treated as urgent national priorities,” they said in the communiqué.
