Governor Riek Bim. (-)

Unity State Governor Riek Bim Top has acknowledged the alarming cholera outbreak where thousands of cases and 101 deaths have been recorded by health officials, while commending “incredible resilience” of the crisis-hit population.

In his Christmas message, Governor Bim underscored that the state faced many challenges – the worst of which is the cholera situation which he said the government and partners continue to combat.

He appreciated frontline workers and volunteers fighting the outbreak and expressed optimism that collaboration with humanitarian agencies will ultimately lead to its eradication.

Mr. Bim said the state communities have shown incredible resilience and strength after years of displacement crisis caused by past civil war, floods, and influx of returnees from Sudan.

On Tuesday, health authorities in Unity reported 5,403 suspected cholera cases and more than 101 related deaths since the outbreak was declared in October 2024 – amid rapid spread and insufficient response.

John Mut, Director General of the state ministry of health said the death roll has sharply risen from 70 people on Sunday to nearly 100 as of Monday, December 23.

Mr. Mut narrated that the outbreak is worsened by open defecation, flooding and the overcrowding at displacement camps.

According to him, the state health facilities face a serious lack of oral rehydration solutions and insufficient vaccines.

The health official also said the scale of the crisis could be far higher as many infections are nursed at home due to stigma around the disease.