(JUBA) – As South Sudan continues to battle its longest running cholera outbreak since gaining independence in 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged the critical assistance provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and WHO Standby Partners. This joint support has significantly boosted the country’s ability to respond to the outbreak.
The cholera outbreak was officially declared in October 2024. Since then, South Sudan’s Ministry of Health, with the help of WHO and other health partners, has implemented a wide ranging response.
The outbreak was categorised as a high priority emergency, allowing quick deployment of health teams, distribution of supplies and stronger coordination at local and national levels to save lives and protect communities.
In early 2025, with funding from the UK’s FCDO, WHO deployed five technical experts through its Standby Partners — CANADEM, RedR Australia and UK Med for an initial period of six months. These specialists brought expertise in critical areas such as case management, disease surveillance, water and sanitation (WASH), health logistics, and outbreak coordination.
The team formed a joint surge capacity, providing WHO with the means to support South Sudan’s cholera response more effectively. The experts worked closely with national and local health teams, ensuring that WHO’s response was swift, evidence based and aligned with the government’s priorities.
Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative for South Sudan, praised the impact of the team:
“This team, supported by FCDO, came at a very critical time and has provided a significant boost to our response efforts to contain the cholera outbreak. WHO South Sudan expresses its sincere gratitude to the UK FCDO and our Standby Partners for making this level of response possible. Their extraordinary commitment has directly contributed to saving lives and strengthening resilience in some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.”
The five experts deployed under the programme include:
| Name | Role | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Mukasa Kabiri | Cholera Response Coordination Officer | Led oral cholera vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas |
| Dr Brendan Patrick Dineen | Epidemiologist | Improved real-time outbreak surveillance and mapping, especially in Upper Nile |
| Dr Fuad Said Abdulrahman | Case Management Specialist | Trained frontline health workers, improving treatment outcomes |
| Mr Tai Ring Teh | WASH Officer | Carried out water quality checks and promoted hygiene practices |
| Mr Navjuvon Mazabshoev | Health Logistics Officer | Supported logistics, set up a treatment centre in Tharqueng, improved supply flow |
The outbreak response has faced numerous challenges, including access to remote areas, the need for fast moving logistics and overstretched health systems. However, with the help of the deployed experts and the additional resources provided, WHO has been able to extend its operations into some of the hardest hit regions such as Upper Nile State and Jonglei.
Health officials say the outbreak has placed additional pressure on public health services, already fragile after years of conflict. Yet with strengthened coordination, improved case tracking, and better access to clean water and treatment, the response is making progress.
As of mid-2025, WHO continues to support South Sudan’s Ministry of Health with ongoing surveillance and preparedness activities, including vaccination drives, WASH services and emergency medical support.
