South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Benjamin Takpiny
At least 32 deaths have been recorded in the country due to cholera with 37 percent of these being among children.
The government and UN agencies reported a total of 2555 cases since declaring outbreak of cholera on 28 October, 2024.
A joint statement issued on Tuesday, said vaccinations have begun targeting the epicenter of the cholera outbreak in Renk County, where some 150 000 people are set to receive the life-saving vaccinations, procured and delivered with UN support.
It said that over a million more vaccine doses are on the way to reach people across the country, including in the capital, Juba.
“This effort is part of a wider campaign involving the government, UN agencies, NGOs, and partners, focused on delivering healthcare, clean water provision, and hygiene promotion,” it said
The statement said that the outbreak is impacting mostly refugees, returnees, and residents including children, especially those under five and older people.
“People concentrated in transit centres and camps, and high numbers of people on the move, limited access to clean water and sanitation, open defecation, and poor hygiene practices make the population particularly vulnerable. These factors create ideal conditions for the rapid transmission of waterborne diseases like cholera,” it said.
Yolanda Awel Deng, Minister of Health said these vaccinations are vital to protect the population.
“I call upon the public, health professionals and community leaders to make the campaigns a success while taking every possible measure to prevent the spread of the disease,” she said
Anita Kiki Gbeho, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, said that the cholera outbreak response requires a coordinated and urgent multisectoral approach, extending far beyond the health sector.
“The UN is committed to working closely with the Government of South Sudan to ensure inclusive coordination, clear public communication, and transparent data sharing, essential for effective preparedness, readiness, and response,” said Gbeho.
The statement said that vaccination is just one part of a multi-sectoral response and the most cost-effective tool to control the outbreak, adding that the UN has trained and deployed rapid response teams, as well as delivering 22 metric tons of medical and cholera supplies to Renk, Malakal, Juba, and Bentiu.
It disclosed that it is undertaking risk communication and community engagement including radio broadcasts and household visits and also ensuring that water supply and sanitation provision are being made safer with water purification tablets, oral rehydration solutions, and soap.
In addition, the UN said it is supporting partners in setting up treatment facilities and rehydration points.
However, it requested for additional funding to contain the outbreak, adding that UN and NGO partners in South Sudan urgently need $32 million to fund the first three months of emergency response to the cholera outbreak.
“This will strengthen current operations by deploying rapid response teams to newly identified hotspots, maintaining essential health services for affected communities, and procuring, shipping, and distributing additional emergency supplies to support the ongoing response,” it noted.