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WHO delivers crucial health supplies to flood-affected communities in South Sudan

Bentiu, South Sudan - Since 2021, Unity State in the northern Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan has been hit by severe flooding that has displaced more than 220 000 people.  In addition to exacerbating food insecurity, the floods have restricted local populations’ access to basic health care services and increased the spread of potentially fatal diseases such as malaria.

With funding from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (UN CERF), the World Health Organization (WHO) has sought to help reduce the adverse health impact of the humanitarian crisis that has resulted from the recurrent flooding. Among other critical interventions, the Organization has helped to make available essential and often life-saving drugs and supplies for both fixed and mobile health facilities all across the affected counties of Unity State.

Eight metric tons procured by WHO as part of the UN CERF contribution
@WHOSouthSudan/Jemila
A first consignment of eight metric tons procured by WHO as part of the UN CERF contribution towards the early and anticipatory action for an effective health response to flood-affected communities in Unity State, South Sudan arrived on 29 June 2022 and has been distributed in various parts of the state.
A second shipment organized by WHO and financed by UN CERF of approximately seven metric tons of health emergency kits and other essential medicines and supplies arrived in Unity State on 6 July 2022.
@WHOSouthSudan/Jemila
A second shipment organized by WHO and financed by UN CERF of approximately seven metric tons of health emergency kits and other essential medicines and supplies arrived in Unity State on 6 July 2022.
The supplies have been delivered to 11 health facilities in Bentiu Internal Displaced Persons Camp and in Rubkona County. Together, these supplies will meet the needs of an estimated 300 000 people, primarily women and children, for around three months. The shipments include emergency health kits, malaria and cholera drugs, pneumonia kits, cholera investigation kits and snake anti-venom.
@WHOSouthSudan/Jemila
The supplies have been delivered to 11 health facilities in Bentiu Internal Displaced Persons Camp and in Rubkona County. Together, these supplies will meet the needs of an estimated 300 000 people, primarily women and children, for around three months. The shipments include emergency health kits, malaria and cholera drugs, pneumonia kits, cholera investigation kits and snake anti-venom.
WHO has also trained local health workers and boma community health teams to ensure quality case management for malaria, diarrheal illnesses, and other common diseases associated with flooding and displacement.
@WHOSouthSudan/Jemila
WHO has also trained local health workers and Boma community health teams to ensure quality case management for malaria, diarrheal illnesses, and other common diseases associated with flooding and displacement.
208 boxes of essential emergency health kits were delivered to Bentiu State Hospital, the only referral hospital in the state, which is managed by Cordaid. The hospital provides primary and secondary healthcare services for patients coming from various parts of Unity State
@WHOSouthSudan/Jemila
208 boxes of essential emergency health kits were delivered to Bentiu State Hospital, the only referral hospital in the state, which is managed by Cordaid. The hospital provides primary and secondary healthcare services for patients coming from various parts of Unity State
“More than ever, women and children now face a greater risk of illnesses and death due to the general deterioration of living conditions and diseases such as acute diarrhoea, malaria, acute respiratory infections and sexually transmitted diseases,” says Dr Banen Nun, Managing Director at Bentiu Hospital. “Thanks to WHO, the emergency health kits will help to provide early treatment to vulnerable populations who can’t afford to buy medicines and avoid unnecessary illness and deaths.”
@WHOSouthSudan/Jemila
“More than ever, women and children now face a greater risk of illnesses and death due to the general deterioration of living conditions and diseases such as acute diarrhoea, malaria, acute respiratory infections and sexually transmitted diseases,” says Dr Banen Nun, Managing Director at Bentiu Hospital. “Thanks to WHO, the emergency health kits will help to provide early treatment to vulnerable populations who can’t afford to buy medicines and avoid unnecessary illness and deaths.”
One such beneficiary is 50-year-old Mary Nyakon Chuol (center), who came to Bentiu Hospital in early July to seek medical care for consistent joint pain and headaches. “I have visited the hospital more than three times in the last month and on each occasion some drugs were missing,” she says. “Today I am happy because for the first time I received all the medicines prescribed by the doctor. I am hopeful that they will now help me to recover quickly.”
@WHOSouthSudan/Jemila
One such beneficiary is 50-year-old Mary Nyakon Chuol (center), who came to Bentiu Hospital in early July to seek medical care for consistent joint pain and headaches. “I have visited the hospital more than three times in the last month and on each occasion some drugs were missing,” she says. “Today I am happy because for the first time I received all the medicines prescribed by the doctor. I am hopeful that they will now help me to recover quickly.”
“The shipments will replenish lifesaving supplies in the hospital, which has been overloaded with patients at the same time as critical healthcare supplies have been quickly running out,” says Dr Nun. On average, the hospital currently receives 70 to 90 patients per day.
@WHOSouthSudan/Jemila
“The shipments will replenish lifesaving supplies in the hospital, which has been overloaded with patients at the same time as critical healthcare supplies have been quickly running out,” says Dr Nun. On average, the hospital currently receives 70 to 90 patients per day.
“Across the country, much needed healthcare services have been affected. Water is accumulating on the streets and sewages are overflowing. The hygiene and sanitation conditions greatly increase the risk of diarrheal infections and the spread of diseases,” says Dr Fabian Ndenzako, WHO Representative in South Sudan. “These emergency health supplies will help to protect people from such threats.”
@WHOSouthSudan/Jemila
“Across the country, much needed healthcare services have been affected. Water is accumulating on the streets and sewages are overflowing. The hygiene and sanitation conditions greatly increase the risk of diarrheal infections and the spread of diseases,” says Dr Fabian Ndenzako, WHO Representative in South Sudan. “These emergency health supplies will help to protect people from such threats.”
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Ms Jemila M. Ebrahim

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Email: ebrahimj [at] who.int (ebrahimj[at]who[dot]int)