A Horrific Cholera Surge in South Sudan: UNICEF's Grim Report
Worst Cholera Outbreak in South Sudan Over Past Two Decades Reported by UNICEF
South Sudan, the world's youngest country, wrestles with a 20-year-high cholera outbreak, as per the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). An appalling 694 deaths and over 40,000 cases have been reported in the past six months. Shockingly, half of those affected are under the age of 15.
South Sudan obtained independence from Sudan in 2011 and has been grappling with instability, battling government forces and militias in the northeast for weeks. Over 50,000 citizens have been forced to abandon their homes since late February due to the chaos, as per UN reports. These unstable conditions impede efforts to battle the cholera outbreak.
Cholera is a destructive gastrointestinal disease primarily spread through polluted water or food. It manifests as severe diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle cramps and can lead to death within hours if ignored. The disease has caused havoc across eastern and southern Africa, with 2900 deaths and over 178,000 cases between January 2024 and March 2025.
The Triggers of the Outbreak
South Sudan's cholera epidemic is fueled by several critical factors:
- Scarcity of Clean Water and Sanitation Facilities: Lack of clean water and suitable sanitation infrastructure contributes significantly to the transmission of cholera, particularly in regions with displacement and conflict[2][3][4].
- Conflict and Insecurity: Ongoing conflicts and instability hinder access to affected areas and obstruct the delivery of aid, intensifying the outbreak[3][4].
- Climatic Factors: The rainy season heightens the risk of cholera outbreaks by polluting water sources[4].
- Healthcare System Challenges: South Sudan's healthcare system is underdeveloped with limited resources to manage outbreaks effectively[4].
Combating the Outbreak
Several organizations and strategies are endeavoring to curb the cholera outbreak:
- Action by UNICEF and WHO: Both organizations are actively reporting the outbreak and supporting the affected. UNICEF has underscored the gravity of the outbreak, while WHO has dispatched teams and supplies to stricken areas like Akobo County[3][4].
- Medical NGOs' Intervention: Organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are treating patients, furnishing logistical support, and alerting of the rapid spread of cholera amidst continuous violence[2][3].
- Oral Vaccination Programs: Oral cholera vaccination programs are in progress to control the spread of the disease. In Akobo County, WHO plans to carry out such a campaign to quell the outbreak[4].
- Awareness and Infrastructure Development: Efforts include enhancing access to clean water, upgrading sanitation facilities, and educating the public to prevent future outbreaks[4].
- In the midst of South Sudan's cholera outbreak, which has already claimed 694 lives and affected over 40,000 people in the past six months, half of whom are children, the Community policy should prioritize the development of clean water and sanitation facilities to curb the transmission of cholera, especially in regions with displacement and conflict.
- Given the devastating consequences of cholera, such as the 2900 deaths and over 178,000 cases reported across eastern and southern Africa between January 2024 and March 2025, health policy needs to incorporate strategies for early detection, quick response, and effective management of cholera outbreaks.
- The ongoing violence and instability in South Sudan, which has forced over 50,000 citizens to flee their homes since late February, as per UN reports, underscores the need for coordinated efforts between the international community and local organizations, such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization, to deliver aid and combat the cholera outbreak using tools like Whatsapp to rapidly disseminate information and warnings about the disease.
