Download logoIn response to the emerging needs for the sustained Cholera outbreak in South Sudan, WHO has received 19 metric tons of emergency supplies to replenish the fast-depleting stockpile of medical countermeasures needed in the response. These medical supplies enhance operational readiness and surge capacity. The shipment includes cholera response kits to support early detection and treatment, Inter-Agency Emergency Health Kits, as well as tents to expand temporary isolation capacity. These supplies are expected to serve approximately 134,000 people in cholera-affected areas. The shipment, valued at US$120,000 and weighing approximately 19 metric tons. Procured with support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, the supplies will enable rapid deployment to outbreak affected locations. They will also strengthen timely disease detection (as they have selected laboratory reagents and rapid diagnostic test kits), isolation for infectious diseases containment, and effective case management. Most importantly, these supplies will help ensure that affected and hard-to-reach communities receive timely access to lifesaving healthcare, contributing to the reduction of preventable illness and deaths. South Sudan continues to face a complex humanitarian and public health situation driven by protracted crises, population displacement, acute food insecurity, recurrent flooding, and limited access to essential health services. Beyond depleting the emergencies stockpiles, draining the energeias out of the emergency responders, the multiple emergencies have increased community vulnerability to infectious diseases and other public health emergencies. The World Health Organization, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and health partners, is currently responding to multiple disease outbreaks and public health threats, including Anthrax, cholera, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (due to two independent and active emergence groups), hepatitis E, measles, and mpox, while also strengthening preparedness and readiness for Ebola virus disease and other emerging health emergencies. Dr. Humphrey Karamagi commended the support provided by FCDO and ECHO, noting that “reducing the burden of disease and preventing avoidable illness and deaths requires a coordinated, multisectoral approach. The supplied commodities will enhance the safety and security of rapid response teams, ensure timely protection of personnel during response operations, and strengthen the availability of essential medicines and supplies to meet the increasing demands of outbreaks and other public health emergencies”. He further expressed sincere appreciation for the timely and continued support, highlighting that “the contributions from FCDO and ECHO demonstrate a strong commitment to protecting the health and well-being of vulnerable communities across South Sudan.” With this kind of Support, WHO country office for South Sudan, is truly enabled to support all the emergency response NGOs and partners, effectively bringing meaning to the health cluster coordination mechanism that remains active in the country.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
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