Latest news with #AnitaKikiGbeho
Zawya
09-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
South Sudan's longest cholera outbreak enters critical stage
The outbreak – which started in September 2024 and was confirmed a month later – comes amidst a protracted humanitarian crisis exacerbated by rising intercommunal violence, climate shocks such as flooding and catastrophic hunger. 'Now, more than ever, collective action is needed to reduce tensions, resolve political differences and make tangible progress in implementing peace,' said Anita Kiki Gbeho, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan. Alarming escalation Since the cholera outbreak was declared in October 2024, UN agencies and partners have documented over 80,000 cholera cases and 1,400 deaths. This is in addition to regional outbreaks of mpox, hepatitis and measles among other communicable diseases. South Sudanese authorities, civil society and UN agencies held an inter-ministerial meeting on Monday to discuss what they called an 'alarming escalation' in the spread of the outbreak. 'This is not merely a public health crisis, but a multi-sectoral emergency exacerbated by flooding, displacement, and limited access to basic services,' the ministers wrote in a communiqué released. The group resolved to facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access to areas which already have outbreaks and to other areas at risk for outbreaks. The Government of South Sudan will coordinate these efforts. Partners will also work to 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 in containing and mitigating the outbreak before severe flooding begins. 'Time is of the essence to prevent a further escalation of the outbreak,' the officials wrote. Floods more than double the frequency of cholera outbreaks by imperiling access to clean water and impeding humanitarian access to affected areas. And with rising global temperatures making floods more severe, millions of South Sudanese who were not previously in regions of concern may now be at risk for cholera outbreaks. A preventable disease Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by consuming contaminated water or food. Although highly communicable, it is preventable through proper hygiene, regular handwashing, safe food preparation and storage, improved sanitation infrastructure, and vaccination. Symptoms typically include watery diarrhoea. Most cases are mild to moderate and can be treated effectively with oral rehydration salts (ORS) mixed with clean, boiled water. However, in severe cases, cholera can be fatal—sometimes within hours—if not treated promptly. Infected individuals can also transmit the disease through their faeces for up to ten days, even if they show no symptoms. Need for additional funds In South Sudan, the already inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure and overstretched public health system has further deteriorated as a result of displacement and conflict. This has ripened the conditions for the spread of cholera. The UN and its partners are working quickly to preposition emergency supplies, especially in these previously low-risk areas, but they are hampered by funding shortfalls. Agencies estimate that they will need $1.69 billion – of which they have only received $368 million – to address the many intersecting humanitarian needs in the country. Nevertheless, the group of ministers insisted that this outbreak is and must remain a priority for all involved. 'Cholera response and flood preparedness must be treated as urgent national priorities,' they said in the communiqué. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
South Sudan's Longest Cholera Outbreak Enters Critical Stage
8 July 2025 The outbreak – which started in September 2024 and was confirmed a month later – comes amidst a protracted humanitarian crisis exacerbated by rising intercommunal violence, climate shocks such as flooding and catastrophic hunger. 'Now, more than ever, collective action is needed to reduce tensions, resolve political differences and make tangible progress in implementing peace,' said Anita Kiki Gbeho, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan. Alarming escalation Since the cholera outbreak was declared in October 2024, UN agencies and partners have documented over 80,000 cholera cases and 1,400 deaths. This is in addition to regional outbreaks of mpox, hepatitis and measles among other communicable diseases. South Sudanese authorities, civil society and UN agencies held an inter-ministerial meeting on Monday to discuss what they called an 'alarming escalation' in the spread of the outbreak. 'This is not merely a public health crisis, but a multi-sectoral emergency exacerbated by flooding, displacement, and limited access to basic services,' the ministers wrote in a communiqué released. The group resolved to facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access to areas which already have outbreaks and to other areas at risk for outbreaks. The Government of South Sudan will coordinate these efforts. Partners will also work to 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 in containing and mitigating the outbreak before severe flooding begins. 'Time is of the essence to prevent a further escalation of the outbreak,' the officials wrote. Floods more than double the frequency of cholera outbreaks by imperiling access to clean water and impeding humanitarian access to affected areas. And with rising global temperatures making floods more severe, millions of South Sudanese who were not previously in regions of concern may now be at risk for cholera outbreaks. A preventable disease Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by consuming contaminated water or food. Although highly communicable, it is preventable through proper hygiene, regular handwashing, safe food preparation and storage, improved sanitation infrastructure, and vaccination. Symptoms typically include watery diarrhoea. Most cases are mild to moderate and can be treated effectively with oral rehydration salts (ORS) mixed with clean, boiled water. However, in severe cases, cholera can be fatal—sometimes within hours—if not treated promptly. Infected individuals can also transmit the disease through their faeces for up to ten days, even if they show no symptoms. Need for additional funds In South Sudan, the already inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure and overstretched public health system has further deteriorated as a result of displacement and conflict. This has ripened the conditions for the spread of cholera. The UN and its partners are working quickly to preposition emergency supplies, especially in these previously low-risk areas, but they are hampered by funding shortfalls. Agencies estimate that they will need $1.69 billion – of which they have only received $368 million – to address the many intersecting humanitarian needs in the country. Nevertheless, the group of ministers insisted that this outbreak is and must remain a priority for all involved. 'Cholera response and flood preparedness must be treated as urgent national priorities,' they said in the communiqué.
Bloomberg
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Renewed Fighting in South Sudan Leaves 180 People Dead, UN Says
Fighting in South Sudan has left more than 180 people dead and forced 125,000 others to flee their homes since March, the United Nations said, reiterating an appeal for the urgent protection of civilians in the East African nation. Armed clashes and aerial bombardments in the Nasir and Ulang counties in the northeast of the country also injured more than 250 people, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement after a visit to the region by Anita Kiki Gbeho, the humanitarian coordinator for South Sudan.
