The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has delivered over 50 metric tons of medical supplies to South Sudan to enhance the country's preparedness for potential Ebola outbreaks. The supplies include personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection prevention and control (IPC) materials to help health facilities and communities respond to potential cases. This effort is supported by donors, including the United States government, the Mastercard Foundation, and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
Dr. Douglas Noble, UNICEF Global Lead for Public Health Emergencies and Incident Manager for the Ebola Crisis, stated that the agency is scaling up preparedness activities in priority counties to prevent and respond to possible outbreaks of Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD), a rare strain of Ebola. He emphasized the importance of addressing remaining gaps in preparedness and response. UNICEF is also training health workers, rapid response teams, faith leaders, and community members to identify symptoms, promote protective behaviors, support early referrals, and counter misinformation about the disease.
According to UNICEF South Sudan Representative Noala Skinner, additional investment is crucial to strengthen community-based surveillance, improve health facility readiness, maintain supply pipelines, enhance cross-border preparedness, and increase surge capacity before an outbreak occurs. Skinner highlighted that evidence from previous Ebola outbreaks shows that preparation is key to keeping outbreaks under control. She also stressed the importance of domestic investment in social services, including payment of salaries, to underpin preparedness and support any response.
The Ebola outbreak in neighboring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has raised concerns about the risk of transmission in South Sudan. As of November 1, over 10,000 people had been infected with Bundibugyo Virus Disease in the DRC, with more than 5,000 deaths reported. Children have been particularly affected, accounting for one in four reported infections and one in three deaths. Bundibugyo is a rare strain of Ebola for which there is currently no specific treatment, although trials and tests are underway to identify effective medicines and vaccines.
UNICEF's preparedness efforts in South Sudan are critical, given the country's ongoing crises, including displacement, flooding, drought-like conditions, food insecurity, and recurrent disease outbreaks. These crises are already straining essential services and increasing the risk of public health emergencies. The agency's efforts aim to enhance the country's capacity to respond to potential Ebola outbreaks and prevent the spread of the disease.
The delivery of medical supplies and training of health workers and community members are part of UNICEF's comprehensive approach to Ebola preparedness in South Sudan. The agency is working closely with the government, WHO, Africa CDC, and other partners to support the country's preparedness and response efforts. The simulation exercise conducted recently was an important step forward in preparedness efforts, and the priority now is to address remaining gaps in the days and weeks ahead.
UNICEF's efforts to boost Ebola preparedness in South Sudan are ongoing, with the agency working to strengthen the country's health systems and enhance its capacity to respond to public health emergencies. The agency's work is critical to preventing and responding to potential Ebola outbreaks and protecting the health and well-being of children and communities in South Sudan.
Key points
- UNICEF delivers 50 metric tons of medical supplies to South Sudan to enhance Ebola preparedness.
- The agency is training health workers, rapid response teams, faith leaders, and community members to identify symptoms and respond to potential Ebola cases.
- Ongoing crises in South Sudan, including displacement and food insecurity, are straining essential services and increasing the risk of public health emergencies.
