The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) this week has donated 4.5 million USD to support tens of thousands of people in South Sudan at risk of contracting COVID-19.
The grant, provided by USAID come as confirmed new cases of COVID-19 in South Sudan are growing daily.
Still, there are 1,830 people affected with the disease, while 32 have died after the global pandemic started. More than 1,600 peoples who may have been in contact with COVID-19 sufferers – also are under monitor by the authorities.
The need in South Sudan to contain the virus is crucial, particularly for populations living in densely populated regions of the capital, Juba, under cramped conditions where contagion is more likely to increase. Many people residing in these locations have little or no access to medical care.
New funds provided by USAID will be used to give soap, hygiene kits, household water treatment solutions, and water buckets for local neighborhoods including the displaced. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) also will be provided for health and humanitarian frontline workers of humanitarian organizations who may also be at risk of exposure.
These funds will be also used to include improving access to affordable water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance to communities most at risk of being contaminated by COVID-19. Many of these are outside of displacement camps in densely populated urban and semi-urban areas of Juba, where there is limited access to reliable water supplies.
IOM is setting a network of shared public handwashing stations in densely populated areas that lack access to hygiene equipment, such as markets and busy transit hubs for locals, returnees and migrants.
IOM also is encouraging Hygiene Promoters on conducting COVID-19 sensitization at community levels, including recognizing key influencers and community leaders. IOM will produce radio broadcasts focusing on addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Protection issues amidst the pandemic.
