Context

In South Sudan, recurrent extreme flooding pushed by heavy rains from Might to October devastates communities yearly. These pure disasters displace 1000’s, enhance the danger of waterborne and vector-borne illnesses, and injury vital infrastructure, together with crops, properties, healthcare services, and transportation routes. Notably weak are the areas of Higher Bahr el Ghazal and Higher Nile. The consequences of local weather change are anticipated to exacerbate these challenges, with predictions of upper water ranges within the White Nile on account of elevated rainfall within the Nile Basin.

Motion taken by the nation with the help of WHO and different companions

To fight the recurring floods and their influence on public well being, the Nationwide Ministry of Well being, supported by WHO and different companions, has launched a complete response. Efforts embody the deployment of fast response groups throughout affected areas and the institution of the Built-in Illness Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system the place 43107 alerts have been reported, of which 30199 alerts have been rapidly verified and investigated since 2019.

Funded by worldwide donors, WHO has distributed over 3366 emergency well being kits within the final 5 years, benefiting 1.5 million people affected by floods. As a part of our ongoing preparations for anticipated flooding, WHO is strategically prepositioning 609 Emergency Well being kits in flood-prone areas, together with Bentiu, Malakal, and Bor. These kits are projected to profit 287 000 folks in these weak areas.

Within the final 4 years, WHO and its companions have offered healthcare companies to 1.6 million people, showcasing the influence of their ongoing efforts.

Native Influence in Jonglei State

“In Jonglei flood-prone counties, flood preparedness and response plans have safeguarded the well being of the communities and made them extra resilient to different pure disasters,” mentioned Mr Chot Kueth Kulang, Director Normal of the State Ministry of Well being in Jonglei State.
The proactive flood preparedness and response methods have considerably mitigated well being dangers. These initiatives included rehabilitating and sustaining dikes, relocating residents from flood-prone areas and focused well being interventions to fight water—and vector-borne illnesses and snakebites.

“WHO supported Bor State Hospital by offering gasoline to run our hospital ambulance and its generator, and important medical provides, technical steering, and capability constructing to reply to flood emergencies, together with illness outbreaks like measles, COVID-19, and cholera. This help has enabled us to avoid wasting extra lives and keep away from many deaths, notably amongst moms and younger youngsters,” mentioned Dr Bol Chaw, medical director of Bor State Hospital.

Leads to Jonglei State

The collaborative efforts have enormously improved illness surveillance and emergency response capabilities in Jonglei State. “WHO’s help has been instrumental in scaling up vaccination drives, delivering important medical provides, and strengthening native healthcare capacities. This complete help has preserved lives, notably weak populations like moms and kids, by guaranteeing sustained operation of vital healthcare companies throughout floods”, mentioned Mr Kulang.

“WHO’s help has been essential,” added Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Consultant to South Sudan. “We offer not simply speedy medical support but in addition life-saving interventions, important provides, and coaching for native well being staff. This ensures the well being system is reactive and proactive, constructing resilience towards future floods.”

Classes discovered or precedence motion going ahead

Submit-event evaluations underscore the need of integrating flood threat mitigation throughout the nationwide catastrophe threat discount agenda. Future priorities will give attention to enhancing the resilience of governmental and healthcare infrastructures, optimizing useful resource allocation, and bettering coordination amongst all stakeholders concerned in catastrophe response. WHO will proceed its help in well being management, illness surveillance, and important diet companies whereas emphasizing the rehabilitation of broken well being services and the strategic placement of emergency well being kits to higher put together for and reply to future floods.

The continued collaboration between WHO, the Ministry of Well being, and well being cluster companions is pivotal in fortifying South Sudan’s healthcare system towards the impacts of flooding. By specializing in sustainable options and community-based preparedness, WHO is dedicated to serving to construct a resilient healthcare system that may stand up to the challenges posed by pure disasters and local weather change.