South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed $200,000 to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support response efforts to a severe cholera outbreak in the country.
Over 13,206 cholera cases have been recorded with 199 deaths since the outbreak was declared on 28th October 2024.
USAID in a statement on Tuesday said the funding will be used to enhance public awareness campaigns on the dangers of cholera, and prevention measures such as safe water use, proper food handling, and good hygiene practices.
It said the funds will help to also strengthen Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) Services interventions and equip health officials with critical resources to treat cases effectively.
“The U.S Embassy is working with partners, including UNICEF, IOM, MSF, and WHO, to deliver emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene services, provide life-saving medical care, support vaccination campaigns, provide treatment kits and diagnostic tests, and raise public awareness to curb the spread of cholera,” it said.
The U.S has also delivered more than two million Aquatab water purification tablets as part of the humanitarian response to the ongoing cholera outbreak.
“These tablets, provided through USAID, will treat six million gallons of water, providing safe drinking water to communities most affected by the outbreak,” it said.
The Aquatabs donation and additional funding underscore the United States’ steadfast commitment to supporting the people of South Sudan.
“The United States stands with the people of South Sudan during this challenging time. This assistance will save lives and help prevent the spread of cholera in vulnerable communities,” it said.
“We renew our call on South Sudan’s transitional government to start using public revenue to address its people’s health needs, provide other basic services, and to pay public sector salaries for health workers, other civil servants, and security personnel.”
