Years of conflict and natural disasters has made South Sudan’s COVID-19 battle particularly challenging as it’s rushed to protect thousands of displaced persons from COVID-19 within the sites set up over the past decade as refuge. Of the 1.7 million displaced persons in the country, nearly 168 000 currently live in one of the 116 camps or settlements, where conditions meant physical distancing is virtually impossible. Basic services in camps can sometimes be limited, with water, sanitation and hygiene services as well as food and shelter supply outstripped by the needs of camp residents. COVID-19 posed an enormous threat to vulnerable populations in overcrowded camps and settlements where people have inadequate access to social services.
WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners, coordinated activities to build trust, introduce transmission-prevention measures, maintain continuity of health services and supplies and establish separate dedicated COVID-19 treatment and isolation centres. It also supported the training of nearly 400 health care workers in the camps and settlements on caring for COVID-19 patients and how to prevent and control the spread of the virus.
Any resident of a camp or a settlement for the displaced confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 and in need of isolation or treatment in a dedicated facility is referred to government-run facilities. Given their limited capacity, additional isolation facilities were established for every camp and settlement hosting more than 5000 individuals. The United Nations is supporting 14 isolation centres for displacement camps and settlements. WHO-trained medical experts provided health education and psychological support to displaced persons to diminish the stigma and fear of COVID-19. The prevention and control measures taken appear to have helped. As of 30 September, only 59 cases among displaced persons had been confirmed from the camps and settlements.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19