Hygiene Consortium Holds Symposium to Promote Community Hygiene

The Nutrition Project Associate for the Right 2 Grow Consortium in South Sudan, Natalia Mbisimo Peace, said that her organization is collaborating with Save the Children to promote hygiene and nutrition as the country battles cholera.
Natalia Mbisimo Peace, Nutrition Project Associate for Right 2 Grow

By Simon Deng

The Nutrition Project Associate for the Right 2 Grow Consortium in South Sudan, Natalia Mbisimo Peace, said  that her organization is collaborating with Save the Children to promote hygiene and nutrition as the country battles cholera.

“As we know, we are currently facing an issue with cholera, which is closely related to hygiene and sanitation practices. This is the message we want to spread: we should wash our hands before eating, before cooking, and after using the toilet,” Peace said during the opening of a three-day workshop at Roha Hotel in Juba.

Peace revealed that South Sudan has the highest rate of malnutrition, which continues to worsen. She added that a report on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) disclosed that only 11 percent of the population has access to proper sanitation.

“As the Right to Grow Consortium, we must ensure our environment is very clean. Food should be cooked thoroughly. At this critical moment, we should avoid eating cold food. At the very least, we need to warm our food before eating,” she emphasized.

“Sixty-one percent of people still practice open defecation in South Sudan, and this is alarming. When we discuss best WASHpractices, we focus on proper handwashing with clean running water and soap, which is essential,” she added.

Koninee Regina John, a public health student and volunteer, explained that the training focuses on nutrition and proper WASH practices that are crucial for preventing cholera.

“The training covers nutrition and aspects of cholera, emphasizing WASH and exclusive breastfeeding. We need to take primary measures for environmental hygiene, as cholera is one of the diseases caused by poor environment, poor hygiene, and poor self-management,” said John.

Bakole Hamid Tadayo, a United Nations Youth Fellow for South Sudan, mentioned that they are engaging various community groups in hygiene promotion as the country grapples with a severe cholera outbreak.

“We are examining the concepts of WASH and nutrition, seeking to gain a deeper understanding of how these can be applied in the community for a better South Sudan,” Tadayo said.

“We are facing an intense health crisis with cholera spreading rapidly throughout the country. We aim to serve as advocates among the youth, ensuring that aspects of WASH and nutrition are communicated effectively within our communities,” he added.

Christina Mboriundore, a youth representative and change-maker in South Sudan, said the three-day symposium organized by the Right to Grow Consortium primarily addresses WASH and nutrition.

“Cholera is fundamentally caused by poor hygiene and sanitation. We can take several measures to combat this issue, including raising awareness about the importance of washing hands before eating with clean water and soap or ash,” Mboriundore explained.

“With the cholera crisis, we can implement preventive measures. As I mentioned earlier, it is vital to ensure that we drink properly boiled water and maintain hand hygiene. Everyone must commit to fighting cholera to prevent its spread in the country.”

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