IOM step up Ebola preparedness at South Sudan’s border points with Uganda|Courtesy

South Sudan will receive enhanced disease surveillance, border screening support, and humanitarian assistance under a U.S.-backed Ebola response effort worth more than $162 million aimed at strengthening preparedness and protecting vulnerable communities across the region.

“The Department of State’s foreign assistance announcements to date to combat the outbreak have exceeded $162 million,” the U.S. Department of State said, outlining the scale of the regional funding package that includes South Sudan.

As part of the response, U.S.-funded partner the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has established health screening and surveillance operations at key points of entry and control in several countries, including South Sudan, to help detect potential Ebola cases early and reduce the risk of cross-border transmission.

The State Department noted: “U.S.-funded partner, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has established health screening and surveillance operations at points-of-entry and points-of-control in Burundi, the DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda.”

The funding is also supporting humanitarian assistance efforts in vulnerable communities across the region. “The Department is also providing $350 million through OCHA pooled funds to the DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda for humanitarian efforts,” the statement added.

Officials said the support will strengthen South Sudan’s capacity to respond quickly to any suspected Ebola cases through improved screening at borders, enhanced surveillance systems, and access to regional response mechanisms.

The United States said its Ebola response also includes support for disease surveillance, laboratory testing, treatment facilities, and public health awareness campaigns across affected and at-risk countries.

South Sudan remains particularly vulnerable to cross-border disease transmission due to frequent population movement with neighboring countries, including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Ebola outbreaks have been reported.

Health experts say early detection at border points and stronger surveillance systems are essential to preventing outbreaks from spreading and ensuring rapid containment if cases emerge.

The U.S. Department of State emphasized that its broader goal is to strengthen regional health security and prevent further international spread of the virus while supporting affected populations through humanitarian aid.