U.S. Support to Combat Cholera in South Sudan
The U.S. Embassy represents the American people and, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is helping to address the cholera problem in South Sudan. The U.S. Embassy is working with partners including UNICEF, International Organization for Migration, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the World Health Organization to provide emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, provide life-saving medical services, and support vaccination campaigns , provide treatment kits and diagnostic tests, and raise public awareness to curb the spread of cholera.
On December 29, we delivered more than 2 million Aquatab water purification tablets as part of the humanitarian response to the ongoing cholera epidemic in South Sudan. The tablets, provided by USAID, will treat 6 million gallons of water to provide safe drinking water to communities hardest hit by the pandemic.
In addition to these efforts, the United States has committed $200,000 to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support cholera response activities in South Sudan. The funding will increase public awareness of the dangers of cholera and prevention measures such as safe water, proper food handling and good hygiene practices. It will also strengthen WASH interventions and provide health officials with critical resources to effectively treat cases.
Since cholera was diagnosed in Upper Nile State on October 23, the epidemic has spread rapidly, with more than 13,206 cases and 199 deaths as of December 29. Aquatabs’ donation and additional funding underscores America’s deep commitment to supporting the people of the Nile. 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. At the same time, we reiterate our call on South Sudan’s transitional government to begin using public revenues to meet the health needs of its people, provide other basic services, and pay the salaries of public sector health workers, other civil servants, and security personnel.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the U.S. Embassy in South Sudan.
