South Sudan vaccinates health workers against Ebola (28.01.2019)

Vaccination began in Yambio, Gbudue State, but health workers in Tombura, Yei and Nimule as well as the capital city, Juba, will also be offered the vaccine.

YAMBIO, South Sudan, January 28, 2019 – The Ministry of Health of South Sudan, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners, today started vaccinating health workers and other front-line responders against Ebola as part of preparedness measures to fight the spread of the disease.

Vaccination began in Yambio, Gbudue State, but health workers in Tombura, Yei and Nimule as well as the capital city, Juba, will also be offered the vaccine. These are high-risk areas bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), now experiencing its tenth outbreak of Ebola. The outbreak began 1 August 2018. Neighbouring countries have not reported any cases of Ebola, but preparedness is crucial.

As part of these preparedness activities, South Sudan received 2 160 doses of the Ebola vaccine (rVSV-ZEBOV) from Merck, the vaccine developer. The vaccine offers protection against the Zaire strain of the virus, which is the one affecting DRC at present.

“It is absolutely vital that we are prepared for any potential case of Ebola spreading beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “WHO is investing a huge amount of resources into preventing Ebola from spreading outside DRC and helping governments ramp up their readiness to respond should any country have a positive case of Ebola.”

Vaccination is one of a raft of preparedness measures South Sudan is putting into place. WHO has deployed more than 30 staff members to support these activities.

In particular, WHO has helped train 60 health workers in good clinical practice principles and protocol procedures to administer the yet-to-be-licensed Ebola vaccine. To detect any travellers entering the country who may be infected with the virus, the Ministry of Health, with the support of its partners, has established 17 screening points. Nearly 1 million people have been screened to date.

WHO is also supporting engagement with communities, active surveillance for the disease at the community and health facility levels, strengthening capacity for infection prevention and control and case management, and supporting dissemination of Ebola information through the media. Local laboratory capacity to test samples taken from people suspected of having Ebola is also being strengthened. Protective gear for responders has been stockpiled in a dedicated warehouse.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in addition to its work making the Ebola vaccine stockpile available, is providing US$2 million to support the WHO’s vaccination efforts in countries neighbouring the DRC, including South Sudan.

“Although research is ongoing, the evidence so far suggests the Ebola vaccine is a highly effective tool to help stop epidemics and can be used to prevent this national outbreak from becoming a regional one,” said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi. “Vaccinating front-line workers and health workers in South Sudan border regions will be crucial: an outbreak in South Sudan would be deeply concerning.”

Uganda began vaccinating its front-line workers in November 2018. So far, more than 2 600 health workers in eight high-risk districts have been immunized. In DRC, more than 66 000 people have been vaccinated – more than 21,000 of them are health and other front-line workers. Rwanda also plans to vaccinate its front-line responders.

The yet-to-be-licensed rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine has been shown to be highly protective against the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus in a major trial. Though not yet commercially licensed, the vaccine is being provided under what is known as “compassionate use” in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in North Kivu province of DRC as part of recommendations from the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization. This vaccine was also used in the Ebola outbreak in Equateur province of DRC in May–July 2018.

IGAD JTC MVM: Investigations into Violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Nassir, Upper Nile State (23.01.2015)

UNMISS working to establish facts of peacekeeper involvement in the death of two civilians (21.01.2019)

UNMISS promptly informed the South Sudan National Police Service of the incident.

JUBA, South Sudan, January 21, 2019 – During a security incident at a base operated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in the capital Juba on Saturday, two civilian contractors were shot by a peacekeeper and died as a result of their injuries.

UNMISS promptly informed the South Sudan National Police Service of the incident. The Mission is taking steps to establish the facts of the incident that occurred at Durupi and has convened a review team comprised of representatives from UNMISS force, police and security services.

UNMISS deeply regrets the loss of life and is providing support to the families of the two men who died.

South Sudan: National Salvation Front/Army – Official Statement (18.01.2019)

South Sudan: UNMISS – PoC Update (12.01.2019)

South Sudan: SPLM/A-IO – Letter to Gov. Simon Oath Duol of Bieh State – “Subject: Reorganization of Cien Jak Counties in Bieh and Jonglei States (07.01.2019)

Republic of South Sudan Media Authority letter to Al Watan Arabic Newspaper – “Subject: Letter of Summon to Al Watan Arabic Newspaper” (07.01.2019)

South Sudan: UNMISS – PoC Update (07.01.2019)

South Sudan: President Kiir asks for funding the peace-deal, but will he launder that money too?

Just as the New Years of 2019 is coming and the South Sudanese are working on the R-ARCSS or the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, which was reached last year. This has changed the Transitional Government of National Unity, which means the administration in Juba have to evolve, become bigger and also more costly.

That is why the President in his speech on New Years Eve had to speak upon the finances. This is happening as the government of Khartoum are controlling and having more oversight of the Oil Industry. While the South Sudanese are securing their weapons and others imports, as the arms embargo is violated and the same with regional indifferences.

Speaking to the peace party leaders and members of the diplomatic corps at a dinar on the Eve of the New Year, Kiir said: “I also call upon our international partners to help with the necessary finance to implement the agreement,” Kiir also said his leadership is ready to dialogue with groups that are still outside the agreement to take part in it. “My message to you all to those still holding out against peace is that whatever it is, we can find a solution so that all of us participate in the business of building our country.” He also called for cooperation among the parties leaders to protect the peace from collapsing. “I urge all of you to be patient, let us work together and not allow this peace to get out of our hands again.”” (Memoscar Lasuba – ‘President Kiir urges intl community for financial aid’ 02.01.2019, link: http://www.eyeradio.org/president-kiir-urges-intl-community-financial-aid/).

We know, why the President is asking for more money to implement the Peace Deal. As the South Sudan government will be expanded and get more offices, as if they are supposed to follow the signed agreement. It will be 4 Vice Presidents and 4 Major Clusters, where all parties of the agreement have their share. Also, the added strain of Central Government, Council of Ministers, State Government and other institutions who needs funding. The excessive size of the government, combined with the cost of funding it. It needs fresh financial funding of it, so that it can operate the TGoNU and the R-ARCSS.

That is why the President comes out with this, as the crisis is averted with this deal. Even as there are plenty of obstacles, there are plenty of problems ahead. Not just the allocation of funds, the laundering of money through back-channels as The Sentry has proven last year. But also, the mistrust and possible Ego’s of all parties. They all want to eat and not talk. They are used to settle the score with guns and not with negotiations. That is why, even as the months goes by.

All of this is surely to use the peace deal as a pawn, to get the needed funds. While the TGoNU should be focused on policies and secure the peace. Not just ensure, that all parties get offices and get their cut. That will not be sustainable. There is need for long term functions.

The President should consider this, the same is with the rest of the parties involved. They should ensure steady revenue without begging foreign donors. Who are seeing with the The Sentry and with UN reports, where the government and their misuse of funds. Where they are not respecting embargoes or even acting credible with funds they have at this point. Why should the international donors trust them now?

Because, they should show some progression on that part. Not only signing deals, while laundering money through Nairobi. Peace.

South Sudan: Office of the First Vice President – “Subject: Request of 250,000 South Sudanese Pound” (28.12.2018)