Skip to main content

ARC Deploys International Team to Combat Cholera Epidemic as South Sudan Braces for Famine

Countries
South Sudan
Sources
Alight
Publication date

Minneapolis-based American Refugee Committee assembles international experts to fight worst disease outbreak since December start of violence

Contact: Chris Berger 800-875-7060 chrisb@archq.org

Minneapolis, MN (September 8, 2014)—Twenty-three American Refugee Committee experts are now on the ground in South Sudan as part of the emergency team fighting the cholera outbreak which has already infected over 6060. ARC staff from Minnesota, Montenegro, Pakistan, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia are currently involved in the emergency response as 1.1 million people are facing emergency level food insecurity.

"Eliminating cholera, even in this difficult context, is entirely achievable and American Refugee Committee has deployed an international all-star team to do just that," stated Christy Hanson, American Refugee Committee board member and public health expert. "ARC's swift response to the epidemic is critical as we prepare for a potential famine to follow."

Since March 2014, 6060 laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera have been documented with the quickly spreading deadly disease that can be easily treated. ARC teams have been deployed to fight the outbreak. Teams will carry out emergency interventions to create clean water sources and critical rehydration points. Community mobilizers, including 170 community members from hardest hit areas, will work to spread the word about how to stop the disease. Emergency supplies are currently on the way to the area to help health facilities fight the outbreak.

South Sudan, the world's newest country, is at a critical point in its history. After years of violence, the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Violence broke out due to political conflict. Since that time, more than 1.5 million people have been forced from their homes including 425,000 who have fled to Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan. The UN recently declared regions of South Sudan at Emergency Food Crisis levels as 1.1 million face famine and 252,000 children are suffering severe acute malnutrition. Under these conditions, the cholera outbreak is spreading fast.

The people of South Sudan are in need of support to fight this outbreak, and the American Refugee Committee is taking donations to support its relief efforts at: American Refugee Committee; 615 First Avenue NE, Suite 500; Minneapolis, MN 55413; tel 612-872-7060 or at, www.ARCrelief.org

ABOUT THE AMERICAN REFUGEE COMMITTEE: American Refugee Committee programs are built from the ground up. We work with people at the most vulnerable points in their lives, when they have lost everything to war or disaster. They let us know what they need most, and we work together to develop ways to help them get it. Our programs are as diverse as the people we serve, but they all work together for the same goal: to help people take back control of their lives. We have worked with refugees around the world for more than 30 years, and our 1500 staff members help nearly 3 million people a year throughout Africa and Asia. ARC is also building a 21st Century humanitarian organization rooted in co-creating with committed people to provide more meaningful solutions to humanitarian crises worldwide. We are based in Minneapolis, MN. To learn more, visit www.ARCrelief.org .

ARC IN SOUTH SUDAN: The American Refugee Committee has worked in South Sudan since 1994, providing a range of service from maternal health to child protection. ARC assists 1.45 million people in South Sudan and works very closely with health facilities throughout the country to rebuild healthcare systems and help families get access to quality care.