Cholera Outbreak: SSRC scales up response amidst rising cases

The South Sudan Red Cross (SSRC) is concerned with the rapid increase in the number of cholera cases, especially during the festive season where social gatherings are common in South Sudan. As of 13 December 2024, 3429 suspected cases have been reported, with 44 deaths in 22 counties across 6 states. There is a risk of further surge in the number of cases.

This has come when South Sudan is grappling with several emergencies including floods and continuous influx of people coming into South Sudan from Sudan due to the ongoing armed violence.

The South Sudan Red Cross is scaling up its response amidst the rising cases across the country. “We have trained more than 300 volunteers and deployed them in Renk, Malakal, Juba, and Bentiu. Response in Magwi County of Easter Equatoria State is underway,” said Achuil Manyuat, the SSRC Emergency Operation Manager.  The SSRC plans to reach 10 locations with a possibility of expanding further. 

The volunteers are now conducting awareness, in schools, public places and in homes.  More than 40,000 people have been reached with control and preventive messages in Renk, Malakal, Juba, Bentiu and Aweil. The SSRC also provide advice to families on how to handle death bodies of people who died of cholera.

The SSRC Secretary General, John Lobor has asked staff and partners to continue assessing areas in the neighborhoods with the potential of spreading cases so they can be included in the response activities. The Red Cross Movement partners are supporting the SSRC in responding to the cholera emergency.