Unity State governor speaks during a visit to a dyke construction site in Bentiu. (Photo: Office of the governor/Facebook).

As cumulative cholera cases soar to around 6,000 with over a hundred deaths, Unity State Governor Justice Riek Bim Top, appealed for urgent national government and humanitarian intervention in a weekend press conference.

Governor Bim has called on the national health ministry, well-wishers, humanitarian organizations, and community partners to join forces in combating the escalating cholera crisis derailing the state health situation.

He emphasized the need for intervention and highlighted several key areas where support is needed, including assistance in sanitation and hygiene within the communities.

“The state has been seriously affected by the outbreak of cholera, which has cost lives. I want to say my condolence messages to the families who lost their beloved ones, and the state is managing the situation at its capacity,” he said on December 27.

Mr. Bim pointed to the need for medical support and resources, vaccination campaigns, and community engagement on the importance of implementing preventive measures.

He said the situation in the remote areas is extremely challenging, adding that his administration was coordinating with the national ministry of health which “promised us vaccines.”

“I call on national government, well-wishers, humanitarian orgnisations, and community partners to join forces in combating the escalating cholera.”

According to the governor’s office, the state government has been engaged in combating and mitigating strategies by establishing three treatment centers in Bentiu, leading to what it termed a milestone in recoveries and reduction in the cumulative mortality rate.

On December 27, Unity State Minister of Health Kai Riek Machar, reported a dire situation with cumulative cholera cases rising to 6,458 cases and 125 related deaths.

Minister Machar emphasized the challenge posed by the absence of cholera vaccines, noting that promised supplies from humanitarian organizations are yet to arrive.

On Sunday, at least 1.1 million doses of the oral cholera vaccine arrived in South Sudan, donated by the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI).

The Undersecretary of Ministry of Health the Dr. Harriet Pasquale Akello said the distribution plan allocates 700,000 doses for Juba, with the remaining 400,000 doses to be distributed among Rubkona Pigi and Aweil West.