JUBA-The United Nations on Wednesday announced it has released 8 million U.S. dollars from its emergency fund to help fight the spread of cholera in the country.
Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, said the fund will support the cholera response in six priority locations of Renk, Malakal, Maban, Aweil East, Rubkona and Jamjang.
“People in these high-risk locations face elevated risks due to significant population movement and limited access to critical health and sanitation services,” Kiki said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Kiki disclosed the resource will also help to address urgent health related issues, water, sanitation and hygiene needs to mitigate the impact of cholera.
She added that the fund will be used for early detection, treatment of infection, and the provision of clean drinking water.
She said it improved sanitation for approximately 730,000 people in Renk, Malakal, Maban, Aweil East, Rubkona and Jamjang, where fragile health systems and population movements exacerbate the impact and spread of cholera.
Following her visit to Malakal early this week, a U.N diplomat underscored the importance of coordination to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with cholera and prevent the spillover to other areas.
“We sincerely thank our donors for their generous contributions, which enable us to provide life-saving assistance to those in critical need,” she said.
“We appeal for their continued support to sustain our efforts in saving lives and building the resilience of vulnerable communities.”
Since the declaration of cholera in Renk on 28 October, over 5,900 cases of cholera have been reported from seven out of ten states in South Sudan.
Rubkona, Unity State accounts for 47 per cent of all reported cases, followed by Malakal, Upper Nile State at 20 per cent.
The vaccination campaign that was rolled out in Renk on 10 December targeting 105,000 people has been completed.
Additional vaccination campaigns are planned for Malakal, Juba, and Aweil West and Canal/Pigi counties to contain the outbreak.
