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CAFOD

How coronavirus is affecting South Sudan

4 March 2021
South Sudan - Repaired water pump

A water pump that has been repaired through the generosity of CAFOD supporters.

South Sudan is facing coronavirus after already enduring years of conflict, ongoing food insecurity and climate challenges.

Our brothers and sisters in South Sudan are now experiencing coronavirus on top of many other pressures. Ibrahim Njuguna, CAFOD’s country representative for South Sudan, explains how your support is making a difference.

What is the current situation in South Sudan?

The most recent peace agreement was signed in 2018 and has largely held, though there are ongoing reports of serious local conflicts.

Not having enough food, or clean water to wash your hands, makes the coronavirus one of many devastating threats to families in South Sudan.

With extreme hunger a more visible and increasing threat than the virus, children go out on the streets to beg for food, despite the danger of the disease spreading. Day and night outside my priest house, people are asking for something to ‘quench their hunger’. It is the poorest, the old, women and children who are paying the price.

Fr James Oyet Latansio, Catholic Priest and General Secretary of the South Sudan Council of Churches

How is the South Sudan government responding to coronavirus?

The government in South Sudan has established a national taskforce on Covid-19, with further restrictions recently brought into place:

  • Social events, religious gatherings and sports have been banned.

  • Schools and universities are closed apart from for exams.

  • Many businesses that gather crowds, such as bars, have been told to close.

  • Restaurants, cafes, and transport remain operational but at reduced capacity.

In the poor communities we work with, families are challenged by the need to continue working to either grow crops or earn money so they can eat, despite the risks of coronavirus.

This is against the backdrop of a fragile healthcare system, that doesn’t cover all people and areas. Clinics and other healthcare providers are at real risk of being completely overwhelmed.

Africa - South Sudan - food distribution during EA food crisis

South Sudan has endured years of conflict, suffered a serious food crisis in 2017, and now faces coronavirus.

How is CAFOD responding to coronavirus in South Sudan?

You are supporting local organisations who have on-the-ground expertise to tackle coronavirus and help more families survive.

We are working together to deliver vital hygiene messages via radio, and even via megaphones in hard-to-reach areas. Community groups are translating these messages into local languages so that they can be heard and understood by as many people as possible. Local health volunteers have been trained, who share correct hygiene information.

We’re supporting households that need to isolate with food deliveries, so they don’t need to come out of the household to work to provide food for themselves.

We are also working with women’s groups to protect wives, mothers and girlfriends from the risk of domestic violence during lockdown and working to provide access to counselling and other services

Ibrahim Njuguna, CAFOD’s country representative for South Sudan