The United Nations has launched a major cholera vaccination campaign in South Sudan to combat a severe outbreak that has resulted in 2,555 reported cases and 32 deaths since late October 2024. Approximately 150,000 residents in Renk County are set to receive the vaccine, with over a million additional doses expected to reach other vulnerable areas, including Juba.
The outbreak has significantly affected refugees, returnees, and local residents, particularly children under five and older adults. Poor sanitation, open defecation, and limited access to clean water in camps and transit centers have heightened the risk of disease transmission.
South Sudan’s Minister of Health, Yolanda Awel Deng, emphasized the importance of public cooperation to ensure the vaccination campaign’s success and urged preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease.
In addition to vaccination, the UN and its partners have implemented a multi-sectoral response. This includes training rapid response teams, delivering 22 metric tons of medical and cholera supplies to affected regions, and enhancing water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. Public awareness campaigns via radio and household visits are also underway, alongside the establishment of treatment centers and rehydration points.
The UN has called for $32 million in emergency funding to support the first three months of response efforts, which include deploying teams to emerging hotspots, maintaining essential health services, and distributing emergency supplies. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Anita Kiki Gbeho stressed the need for coordinated, inclusive, and transparent efforts to effectively address the outbreak.
This vaccination initiative marks a critical step in safeguarding public health in South Sudan.
