Weekly Report
on Activities (EHA/HAC)
Focal Point’s Name: ADILI MATONTU
Information Officer: AHMAR SHAIKH
Duty Station: Juba – Southern Sudan
Reporting Period: 12th – 18th May, 2008
HIGHLIGHTS
•
Thousands displaced in Abyei – Humanitarian workers evacuated
•
Cholera outbreak in Magwi county: 182 cases and 21 deaths in five weeks
•
191 suspected measles cases reported in Eastern Equatoria State
•
Increasing number of Acute Watery Diarrhea cases in Juba County
GENERAL SITUATION:
a) Political, social, security overview for the week
Following the clashes between SPLA and SAF armies that claimed four lives, thousands of
people have been displaced in Abyei and fled to neighboring areas/counties like Twic,
Mayom & Aweil East. The fighting begun near the town of Abyei on 13 May, 2008 and went
on until the following day. This led to the evacuation of civil humanitarian staff from the area.
Currently humanitarian workers are making every efforts to support IDPs from Abyei and
surrounding areas.
Juba:
No armed robberies were reported in Juba during this week. SPLA MPs have arrested 4
armed men in Hai Malakal area on night 09/10 May, involved in earlier robberies. Three
robbers were apprehended earlier by the SPLA MPs on 26 April. Further operations in this
regard continue.
Western Equatoria:
LRA peace process was recommenced after a delegation of community leaders from
Northern Uganda travelled to Rik-gwamba on 9 May, 2008 to meet with LRA leader Joseph
Kony regarding further discussions on the issue. The delegation has returned back from
Rik-gwamba on 14 May, 2008 without much success in establishing direct contact with
Kony.
ota Bene: Remember that the information you provide will be used in a document seen by donors and the general
public- kindly explain your activities so that those who do not have the same experience and understanding of the
situation and of the terminology and acronyms may understand.
When explaining the key words are: Who, What, Where, When and Why
Population Movement:
•
By 17 May, 2008 repatriation of Sudanese refugees to Southern Sudan and Blue
Nile State has reached a cumulative total of 283,770. Of this number 132,518
were under the organized and assisted self-repatriation programme.
•
Since 1 January to 17 May, 2008 the repatriation figure reached 55,563, out of
whom 54,765 persons (99 %) were organized, 798 persons (1%) were assisted
self-repatriation..
•
This week 2,411 persons (633 families) came from Uganda to Central Equatoria
and Eastern Equatoria States under the organized voluntary repatriation
programme.
•
There were 8 returnees (six families) reached home under the assisted voluntary
self repatriation programme during this reporting week, out of whom three
persons (one family) came from Egypt to Central Equatoria State and five persons
came from Uganda to Eastern Equatoria State.
WHO is working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners, to ensure that
immediate health assistance to the returnees (internally displaced population and refugees)
and host communities is addressed
Diseases Outbreak
300
253
250
200
150
Cases
Deaths
128
100
50
3
0
AWD
0
ABD
2
0
Meningitis
3
0
Measles
Cumulative total cases and deaths in Southern Sudan of the four outbreak disease conditions between 12 – 18 May, 2008
2
AWD (Acute Watery Diarrhea)/Cholera
A Cholera outbreak in Magwi County (Eastern Equatoria State) has been investigated. All
five Payams in the County were affected but the most affected Payams (the epicentres)
were Pajok, Magwi and Owinyikibul. The outbreak has affected 181 people in the County
from 28th April to 16 May, 2008 and the CFR stands at 6.7%. The index case was a young
lady who had just returned from a refugee camp in Uganda. The peak was observed during
the 20th Epidemiological week. The health facilities available do not have the adequate
capacity to manage the cases of this outbreak. This could be a resurgence of the previous
Cholera outbreak in Magwi County (Owinykibul) which occurred in February this year. The
water and sanitation situation in the County is very poor. Nine stool samples were collected
in cary blair and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The cumulative cases in Juba from 12 – 20 May, 2008 have reached to 76 with 3 deaths.
Majority of these cases are coming from Gudele, Kator, Nyakuron, Munuki and Lologo. Five
stools samples have been collected (of which 3 tested positive for Cholera by rapid test) and
sent to reference laboratory for culture and sensitivity.
Cholera Cases in Juba
Dates(May)
C
<5
D
C
>5
D
Total
12th
0
0
5
0
5
13th
0
0
4
1
5
14th
0
0
5
0
5
15th
1
0
2
0
3
16th
6
0
3
0
9
17th
0
0
10
1
11
18th
1
0
12
0
13
19th
1
0
5
1
7
Total
9
0
46
3
58
A team composed of WHO, MoH/GoSS and SSRRC is currently assessing the situation in
Magwi and the results from the assessment mission are expected to be shared by the end
of the week. Moreover, MoH/GoSS has deployed an interagency multi-sectoral technical
team to support the State health authorities.
Measles
A measles outbreak has been reported in Kapoeta north where 191 cases have been
recorded so far and also in Ekotos 37 cases and 7 deaths were reported. Line listing of the
cases in North Kapoeta is in process. There are plans underway by the State ministry of
health (Eastern Equatoria) to undertake an accelerated campaign in the areas reporting out
breaks.
Coordination and Other Activities:
•
Following the Abyei crisis, WHO in close collaboration with MoH/GoSS and other
health partners, have drafted a contingency plan (under review) which is expected to
raise USD 202,000 to support interventions and response activities.
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•
An inter-agency assessment and coordination team left on 17 May 2008 for Warrap,
to assess the humanitarian impact and establish coordination mechanisms following
the displacement of thousands of people from Abyei and its surrounding areas.
•
WHO together with MoH/GoSS, UNICEF and other health partners have successfully
conducted the NIDs from 7 – 9 May, 2008. Currently data is being collated and
results are expected next week. Furthermore, preparations are underway for the next
round of NIDs scheduled to start on 4 June, 2008.
WHO funding support for Emergency & Humanitarian action have been received from
the CHF, Finish Government, CERF, Italian Government, Irish Government and ECHO
4