SUDAN – Samaritan’s Purse is working to prevent the spread of COVID 19 in South Sudan where millions live in very close quarters, providing food, water for hand-washing, and training for health professionals to help keep them safe from the virus.

Mark Bennett, Country Director – South Sudan, Samaritan’s Purse:

So far, South Sudan only has six confirmed cases of Coronavirus 19, and the government is working hard to try and make sure it doesn’t spread throughout the country. That’s very important because the country is really severely at risk in that more than half of the population are food insecure. Many people live in displaced camps and are in very crowded, cramped quarters. This is a great risk for the disease.

Our program has been quite widespread. Across many areas of the country, we have water and food distribution and sanitation programs, as well as our ministry programs. And in all cases, we are giving out information about coronavirus and distributing that amongst communities.

We also have planned some significant programs around Juba, where we’re training health professionals working in health facilities and the main hospitals in Juba to protect themselves. Keeping health workers safe is so important. Also, protective equipment is very difficult to find here, so we’ve been making face masks as well as other pieces of equipment that can support health workers when they don’t have the genuine article. We’ve purchased some equipment, like this oxygen concentrator. We’ve trained staff, and we’re working hard to get ready if the disease comes.

The Samaritan’s Purse International Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) program is committed to meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster. We stand ready to respond at a moment’s notice whenever and wherever disaster strikes. The DART specializes in providing water, food, shelter, and medical care while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

CONTACT: Kaitlyn Lahm, news@samaritan.org

Read more news on South Sudan and the Coronavirus Outbreak on Missions Box.

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