Juba, 15 February 2018 – WHO and partners are responding to an influx of more than 15 000 returnees from Uganda and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bungu, Kuli-Papa, Kagwada and Katigiri Counties, former Central Equatoria State South Sudan, since the influx was reported in late January 2018. The influx is stretching the existing humanitarian resources and primary health care services. Since clashes in mid-2016, humanitarian needs in the area have remained high.

Juba, 14 February 2018 – Following the detection of a suspected Rift Valley fever outbreak in the Eastern Lakes State of South Sudan by the National Ministry of Health, World Health Organization supported the establishment of multi sectoral rapid response to investigate and prevent further spread of the disease. WHO established a temporary Incident Management System in Yirol East County to support the State authorities with coordination, surveillance, risk communication, case management and logistics. 

Serowe, Botswana - 8 February 2018:The Ministry of Lands Management, Water and Sanitation, held a successful two day  annual wellness day hosted by the Serowe Main Landboard Services for all its employees drawn from the fifteen affiliate sub-land boards. This event brought together members of the sub-land boards, including senior executives, engineers, physical planners, and administrative staff members. The 2018 annual events were organized in  selected venues  around Serowe Village.

FREETOWN, 13 February 2018 --- Senior global officials from the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) Secretariat, WHO and the United Nations Development Programme have joined Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health and Sanitation in calling for accelerated action to reduce tobacco consumption in the country. The call was made at a major national meeting of stakeholders in the capital, Freetown today.

Regina Archangelo, walked in to the stabilization center inside Wau Teaching Hospital carrying her weak six months old twin boys Ochan and Opio. One could easily notice that not only the twins, the mother too was frail and underweight.

The twins are among the estimated over 261 000 children in South Sudan suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in 2018. Luckily, their parents were able to take them to Wau Teaching hospital, former Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

Dar es Salaam, 13 February 2018: Today, the Government of Tanzania and partners launched the One Health Coordination Desk and the National One Health Strategic Plan, as an important milestone towards addressing emerging health challenges at the animal-environment-human interface. Establishment of the One Health Coordination Desk and other elements of the National One Health Platform, underscores national commitment to strengthen mechanisms for prevention, detection and response to outbreaks.