The outbreak, which began in September 2024 and was confirmed a month later, arrives in a prolonged humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the growing intercom violence, climatic clashes such as floods and catastrophic hunger.
“Now, more than ever, collective action is needed to reduce tensions, resolve political differences and make tangible progress in the implementation of peace,” said Anita Kiki Gbeho, a Humanitarian and resident coordinator of the UN in South Sudan.
Alarming climbing
Since the cholera outbreak was declared in October 2024, the UN agencies and partners have documented more than 80,000 cases of anger and 1,400 deaths.
This adds to the regional outbreaks of MPOX, hepatitis and measles among other communicable diseases.
The authorities of Southern Sudan, Civil Society and UN agencies held an intercourse meeting on Monday to discuss what they called an “alarming climbing” in the propagation of the outbreak.
“This is not simply a public health crisis, but a multisectoral emergency exacerbated by flooding, displacement and limited access to basic services,” the ministers wrote in a published statement.
The group decided to facilitate humanitarian access without obstacles to areas that already have outbreaks and other areas at risk of outbreaks. The South Sudan government will coordinate these efforts.
The partners will also work for preposition materials, improve water and sanitation infrastructure and coordinate proactive and reactive vaccination campaigns.
Time is running out
With the peak of the rainy season on the horizon, the next eight weeks are critical to contain and mitigate the outbreak before serious floods begin.
“Time is essential to avoid a greater escalation of the outbreak,” the officials wrote.
Floods more than double the frequency of cholera outbreaks when weighing access to clean water and preventing humanitarian access to affected areas. And with the increase in global temperatures that make floods more severe, millions of South Sudanese who were not previously in regions of concern can now be at risk of cholera outbreaks.
A preventable disease
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the consumption of water or contaminated foods. Although highly communicable, it can be prevented through adequate hygiene, regular hand washing, safe food preparation and storage, improved sanitation infrastructure and vaccination.
Symptoms generally include aqueous diarrhea. Most cases are soft to moderate and can be treated effectively with oral rehydration salts (OR) mixed with clean and boiled water.
However, in severe cases, cholera can be fatal, sometimes a few hours, if not immediately.
Infected people can also transmit the disease through their feces for up to ten days, even if they do not show symptoms.
Need for additional funds
In South Sudan, the water and sanitation infrastructure already inadequate and the overloaded public health system has further deteriorated as a result of displacement and conflict. This has matured the conditions for the spread of cholera.
The UN and its partners are working quickly to prepare emergency supplies, especially in these previously low risk areas, but they are hindered by the financing deficit. Agencies estimate that they will need $ 1.69 billion, of which they have only received $ 368 million, to address the many humanitarian needs that cross in the country.
However, the group of ministers insisted that this outbreak is and must continue to be a priority for all involved.
“The response to cholera and flood preparation should be treated as urgent national priorities,” they said in the statement.
