(ULANG) – Authorities in Ulang County, Upper Nile State, have reported a sharp increase in cases of malaria and waterborne diseases, which they say is being driven by worsening humanitarian conditions.
Local health officials and administrators say the spike in illnesses is linked to critical shortages of basic necessities, including clean water, proper shelter, sufficient food, and accessible healthcare. These conditions, they note, have created an environment where preventable diseases are spreading rapidly, especially among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and displaced persons.
According to county officials, many of the affected families are living in makeshift shelters without mosquito nets or safe drinking water, increasing the risk of both malaria and diarrhoeal diseases. Flooding in low-lying areas has also worsened the situation, with stagnant water becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes and a source of contaminated water.
“People are exposed to both the weather and disease,” a county health officer said. “They do not have enough medical support, and our health facilities are overstretched.”
Medical workers have also pointed out that the health centres across Ulang are struggling to meet demand, with frequent stockouts of anti-malarial drugs and water purification tablets. The lack of transport and fuel makes it difficult to move supplies or reach remote villages.
With the rainy season still ongoing, health officials fear the number of cases will rise further if no urgent action is taken. They are appealing to humanitarian organisations and government agencies to provide emergency support, including mosquito nets, clean water, medicine, and nutritional aid.
Humanitarian organisations have warned that if the crisis continues without intervention, mortality rates could increase significantly in the affected areas. Ulang is one of several counties in Upper Nile facing similar health emergencies due to ongoing conflict and displacement.
The economic cost of emergency health intervention in a county like Ulang is high.
