More than 226,000 people have been displaced due to South Sudan’s worst flooding in decades, which has destroyed homes, livelihoods, highways, and infrastructure, and decimated villages. Of South Sudan’s 78 counties, 42 have been impacted, with 15 major roads, including those leading to the capital Juba, cut off. As of October 4, 2024, 890,000 people were living in flood-affected areas, with 90 health institutions inaccessible and 58 submerged in five counties.
The floods, caused by heavy rains during the April to November rainy season, have intensified due to climate change, leading to permanent displacement. South Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is worsened as it also hosts nearly 800,000 refugees fleeing violence in neighboring Sudan. Two potential cholera cases have been detected in Renk County, and over 120,000 cases of malaria with 31 suspected deaths have been reported.
The World Health Organization (WHO), alongside South Sudan’s Ministry of Health, is prioritizing health services for the affected population. WHO has sent 88 metric tonnes of emergency health kits, including cholera treatment kits, antimalarial medications, and antivenoms, to areas like Renk, Bentiu, Malakal, and Bor counties. These supplies are expected to assist over 870,000 people.
WHO is working to address the growing health emergency by coordinating disaster response efforts, conducting needs assessments, and training healthcare workers. They are also focused on monitoring waterborne and vector-borne diseases, and working closely with local authorities to protect health facilities.
In response to climate change, WHO is helping countries, including South Sudan, to build climate-resilient health systems that can adapt to emerging health risks. Strong frameworks are needed to manage the health impacts of climate change, and WHO is assisting nations in developing strategies to address these issues while reducing carbon emissions from health systems.
