The international humanitarian agency, Oxfam says it is taking urgent steps to respond to the cholera outbreak in Juba.

On Friday the National Ministry of Health announced that more than ten people died of cholera in Juba alone.

The Humanitarian Program Manager for Oxfam in South Sudan, Emma Jane Drew, said they will be receiving supplies, including oral rehydration salts, chlorine, water treatment and disinfectant from the United Kingdom.

She said the supplies are part of the contingency stock they planned six weeks ago before the

outbreak, but they will be used to contain the cholera outbreak in the capital.

“currently, we are developing a response strategy, something that will be a combined effort”, he said.

Madam Drew also urged the public to take precautionary measures in order to prevent contracting the disease.

“Prevention is obviously much better than having to contract the illness and then receive additional support, I strongly recommend that everyone including ourselves take care and follow a responsible messaging that is provided. Just basic thing like washing hands as much as possible with soap or ash, using a latrine, keeping your latrine clean and making sure that you have access to safe and clean. So as long as those things are followed, then prevention will have much better response than if we have to focus only on the cure”, Drew added.

Madam Jane Drew, said there are several priority areas that have been identified by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and the health cluster.

She said Oxfam stands ready to support the people of Juba at this critical moment.