South Sudan - Emergency Health Care - Doctors Without Borders Canada 2017

March 2017 – In 2017 an estimated 7.5 million people across South Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection across the country as a result of armed conflict inter-communal violence economic crisis disease outbreaks and climatic shocks. Approximately 1.85 million people are internally displaced within South Sudan and over 1.4 million South Sudanese have sought protection in neighbouring countries. The civil war as well as erratic rainfall in some areas have resulted in 4.6 million people projected to require food assistance with malnutrition rates over emergency thresholds. Outbreaks of cholera measles and hepatitis E have strained an already overwhelmed health system. Humanitarian access remains restricted in many conflict areas and large numbers of people are accessible only by air drops. With GAC's support Doctors Without Borders Canada is helping address the urgent humanitarian needs of up to 262 000 conflict-affected people in Malakal Wau Silluk Mellut Boma State. Project activities include: (1) providing primary health care including outpatient facility Expanded Program on Immunizations Kala Azar malaria HIV services to the target population through mobile health posts and fixed clinics; (2) providing Ambulatory Therapeutic Feeding Centers and referral services for those in need of secondary health care; (3) providing life-saving surgery and treatments of severe malnourished patients; (4) providing comprehensive care for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and treatment for patients with malaria HIV or tuberculosis.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to a quality comprehensive package of free primary health care services to conflict-affected population in South Sudan; (2) improved access to a quality comprehensive package of free secondary health care services to the conflict-affected population; and (3) improved access to quality sexual and reproductive health services provided for free to the conflict-affected population. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.