Red Cross calls for aid to fight cholera in South Sudan

Mar 3, 2006 (GENEVA) — The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies appealed Friday for one million Swiss francs (880,000 dollars, 740,000 euros) to fight cholera in southern Sudan.

The outbreak has been affecting the areas of Juba and Yei since the beginning of February but the disease is also reportedly spreading to other locations east of Juba, it said in a press release.

The World Health Organization on Wednesday reported a total of 4,906 cases and 89 deaths, it said.

The statement said there was particular concern regarding a camp outside Juba housing 5,000 people returning to their homes following the peace accord between Khartoum and southern separatists.

The fund-raising operation “is designed to help contain the outbreak in the region, limiting the spread of the disease among people at risk,” the federation said.

“It also aims at building the capacity of the Sudanese Red Crescent to mobilize, train and manage an increased number of volunteers, especially in Juba.”

Some 100,000 Swiss francs from the federation’s emergency fund have been allocated to start the operation, to pay for the transport of supplies, including water purification tablets, chlorine powder and medicines.

(ST/AFP)