A health advocate has urgently appealed to Hon. Adut Kiir and the ASK Foundation in an open letter on Monday, calling for the provision of boreholes in Duk County, Jonglei State, as a devastating cholera outbreak continues to escalate.
Since December 2024, more than 900 cases of cholera have
been reported in health facilities, with 20 confirmed deaths. Many more cases
go unreported in the community, particularly in the riverine islands of Majok,
Lang, Pamading, and Yian, where residents rely on unsafe river water for
drinking.
“The flooding has submerged most boreholes, leaving the
communities without access to clean drinking water and this exacerbated the
cholera outbreak,” said Arak Simon, a health advocate.
Duk County, which covers seven Payams including Payuel,
Padiet, Ageer, Panyang, Donchak, Pagak, and Kadiang, has limited access to
clean water.
With 80% of boreholes underwater and no WASH (Water,
Sanitation, and Hygiene) implementing partners since the pullout of USAID
earlier this year, hygiene and sanitation have deteriorated, fueling the
cholera outbreak.
Health partners, including the John Dau Foundation (JDF) and
Tearfund, are working tirelessly to manage cases in local health facilities
despite limited resources. However, the outbreak continues to spread rapidly,
driven by the lack of safe water and poor sanitation.
“The situation is dire,with over 900 reported cases and 20
deaths in the Health Facilities, and countless more in the community specially
in the Islands of Majok,Lang,Pamading and Yian where residents drink from the
river water,” Simon added.
The appeal calls on the ASK Foundation and Adut Kiir to respond urgently, ensuring access to clean drinking water and reducing the ongoing cholera risk.
