Central Equatoria strengthens disaster preparedness with county-level contingency plans

JUBA – Central Equatoria State in South Sudan is taking proactive steps to bolster its resilience against potential hazards through the development of hazard-specific contingency plans at the county level.

Agnes Agnes Nyoka, Primary Health Care Supervisor for Yei River County, explained that the plans anticipate potential hazards specific to each location.

“The County contingency plans anticipate hazards in locations like Yei River County and ensure a fast and efficient response using hazard-specific plans, potential response scales, scenarios and a multi-hazard core response mechanism,” Nyoka said in a statement.

This approach aligns with South Sudan’s broader public health preparedness efforts, according to Mr. Yona Kenyi, Surveillance Officer for Central Equatoria State.

“South Sudan has taken proactive steps to address public health challenges. As a result, the national and subnational levels have implemented decentralized risk profiling and emergency plans while establishing Task Forces and multidisciplinary Rapid Response Teams at the State and County levels,” Kenyi said.

The development of these contingency plans emphasizes community participation.

“Our approach prioritizes community involvement in identifying potential hazards and ensures that county-level, hazard-specific contingency plans are developed and fully understood,” Kenyi highlighted.

Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative for South Sudan, commended the comprehensiveness of the initiative.

“Thanks to the generous contribution of the European Union for Humanitarian Aid, the significance of Central Equatoria State’s initiative extends beyond its borders, serving as a model for other States grappling with similar challenges,” said Karamagi.

He emphasized the importance of preparedness: “By prioritizing preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and collaboration, the State demonstrates that proactive measures can mitigate the impact of even the most daunting hazards, ensuring a safer and more resilient future for all.”

Central Equatoria State faces a range of threats, including armed conflict, infectious diseases like malaria and Ebola, and environmental challenges.

Recognizing this diversity, the state conducted its first sub-national risk assessment in October 2023 to identify specific vulnerabilities and tailor its response strategies.