AGP Executive Report

Health System & Care Access: FoWE is assessing Tore Primary Health Care Centre in Yei River County, aiming to rehabilitate the facility and recruit qualified health workers so families won’t have to travel long distances for care. Public Health & Sanitation: Juba City Council intensified weekly sanitation in Kator and Munuki blocks, urging residents to join cleaning drives to protect community health. Infectious Disease Risk: Africa CDC warns Kenya and nine other countries—including South Sudan—are at risk as the DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak expands; health authorities are urged to strengthen surveillance, labs, and rapid isolation. Ebola Update: WHO reports the DRC outbreak has spread to two more health zones (Bulu and Dungu), bringing affected zones to 63, with conflict and displacement slowing contact tracing and access. Regional Health Policy: The UAE eased precautionary entry and visa restrictions for Ugandan nationals after Uganda ended its Ebola outbreak, while measures for DRC and South Sudan remain. Health Funding & Governance: UK envoy David Ashley urged South Sudan’s caretaker government to invest in education, health, and nutrition, warning that stolen public funds will be tracked and sanctioned. Community Safety: Western Equatoria authorities report over 20 people missing after two attacks along the Lui-Juba road, with at least one injured person receiving treatment at a local unit.

Ebola Response: WHO reports DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has expanded to two more health zones—Bulu (Sud Ubangi) and Dungu (Haut-Uélé, bordering South Sudan)—bringing the total to 63 health zones across seven provinces, with conflict and displacement still blocking contact tracing and care. Regional Risk Watch: Africa CDC warns 10 African countries, including South Sudan, are at risk due to population movement, urging stronger surveillance and preparedness at points of entry. Travel & Entry Measures: The UAE has eased Ebola-related entry restrictions for Ugandan nationals after Uganda ended its outbreak monitoring period, while keeping similar precautionary measures in place for DR Congo and South Sudan. Health Funding & Accountability: UK Ambassador David Ashley warns South Sudan’s leadership that stolen public funds will be tracked and sanctioned, noting less than 2% of the national budget goes to health and education combined. Local Safety: Western Equatoria officials report two attacks along the Lui-Juba road with more than 20 people abducted and missing, while one injured victim is receiving treatment.

Ebola Preparedness: WHO says DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola has surged into two more health zones—Bulu (Sud Ubangi) and Dungu (Haut-Uélé, bordering South Sudan)—bringing the total to 63 health zones and 7,890 confirmed cases with 3,799 deaths, as conflict and displacement keep contact tracing and safe access difficult. Regional Risk Watch: Africa CDC warns 10 countries, including South Sudan, are at risk due to cross-border movement, urging stronger surveillance, lab capacity, and rapid isolation at points of entry. Travel & Entry Updates: The UAE has eased Ebola-related entry restrictions for Ugandan nationals after Uganda completed its monitoring period, but keeps measures for DR Congo and South Sudan. Data Privacy Alert: The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi warns of a possible data breach tied to traveller information collected during Kenya’s Ebola screening at ports of entry. Local Health & Safety: Western Equatoria reports more than 20 people missing after two attacks/abductions along the Lui-Juba road, with at least one injured person receiving treatment at a primary health care unit. Health Support in Juba: A Chinese medical team marked Mid-Autumn Festival at Juba Orphanage with health check-ups and immediate treatment, citing common illnesses like malaria, typhoid, diarrhea, and skin infections.

Ebola Response in the Region: WHO says DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has spread to two more health zones—Bulu (Sud Ubangi) and Dungu (Haut-Uélé), bringing affected areas to 63 across seven provinces—with conflict and displacement still blocking contact tracing and safe care. Cross-Border Risk for South Sudan: The new zones include areas bordering South Sudan, raising concerns about imported cases as health systems struggle to reach communities early. UAE Travel Measures Shift: The UAE lifted Ebola-related entry restrictions for Ugandan nationals after Uganda’s outbreak ended, but kept precautionary measures for DR Congo and South Sudan. Funding for Outbreak Control: The UAE pledged $10 million to support Ebola response, including protection and infection-control support for health centres. Local Health Support: A new Chinese medical team visited Juba Orphanage for Mid-Autumn Festival, donating food and mooncakes and providing health check-ups and treatment for common illnesses like malaria, typhoid, and skin infections. Health Security Alert: The US Embassy in Nairobi warned of a possible data breach tied to Ebola screening information collected at Kenyan ports of entry.

Ebola Response: WHO reports DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola has surged into two new health zones—Bulu (Sud Ubangi) and Dungu (Haut-Uélé, near South Sudan)—bringing affected health zones to 63 across seven provinces, with 7,890 confirmed cases and 3,799 deaths as of Sept 23. Contact Tracing Gap: Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya says only about 30,000 people are listed as exposed, far below the roughly 400,000 expected, warning transmission is still reaching beyond surveillance. South Sudan Preparedness: Britain has deployed Ebola specialists around Juba to train local teams, support infection control, run community awareness, and test border crossers. Entry Measures: UAE authorities eased precautionary entry steps for Ugandan nationals after Uganda’s Ebola monitoring period ended, but kept precautions for DR Congo and South Sudan. Local Health Action: Unity State launched a seven-day cholera vaccination drive for 100,000+ IDPs in Rubkona and Guit counties with MSF and WHO support. Water & Health: Türkiye Diyanet Foundation installed a solar-powered borehole in Kwerjik, Juba, to supply about 4,000 litres of clean water daily and cut waterborne disease risk.

Ebola Response in Congo: WHO reports the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has spread to two new DRC health zones—Bulu (Sud Ubangi) and Dungu (Haut-Uele, bordering South Sudan)—bringing affected zones to 63 across seven provinces, as conflict and displacement make access and tracing harder. Surveillance Gap: Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya says contact tracing is falling far short, with only about 30,000 people identified as exposed versus roughly 400,000 expected, and most new cases found among people not on contact lists. South Sudan Preparedness: Britain has deployed Ebola specialists around Juba to support infection control, community awareness, and border testing for imported cases. Cholera Action in Unity State: Unity State launched a seven-day cholera vaccination drive targeting over 100,000 IDPs in Rubkona and Guit counties with MSF and WHO support. Clean Water for Juba Peri-Urban Areas: Türkiye Diyanet Foundation built a solar-powered borehole in Kwerjik to supply about 4,000 litres daily, aiming to cut waterborne disease risks.

Cholera Response: Unity State Ministry of Health has launched a seven-day cholera vaccination drive for more than 100,000 internally displaced people in Rubkona and Guit counties, with teams deployed in collaboration with MSF and WHO to curb spread after thousands of cases. Clean Water Access: Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, with Peace Light Foundation, installed a solar-powered borehole in Kwerjik near Juba, supplying about 4,000 litres daily to replace unsafe stream water and reduce waterborne disease risk. Early Childhood Focus: South Sudan launched a National Early Childhood Development Network in Juba to improve coordination and investment across health, nutrition, education, and child protection for the 0–8 age range. Climate & Health Risk: WHO classifies the developing El Niño’s health and humanitarian impacts as a Grade Three emergency, warning South Sudan and other countries may face more flooding-related outbreaks like cholera and worsening drought-linked malnutrition. Early Action on Measles: Health partners are pushing catch-up immunisation efforts as measles-rubella campaigns ramp up regionally, highlighting the need to close immunisation gaps. Ebola Funding & Surveillance: The US pledged an additional $267 million for Ebola response in the DRC as surveillance expands beyond borders, including health screening at displacement and travel points.

Cholera Response in South Sudan: Unity State Ministry of Health launched a seven-day cholera vaccination drive targeting 100,000+ internally displaced people in Rubkona and Guit counties, with teams deployed alongside MSF and WHO to curb spread after thousands of cases. Clean Water for Juba Communities: Türkiye Diyanet Foundation completed a solar-powered borehole in Kwerjik, supplying about 4,000 litres daily to replace unsafe stream water and reduce waterborne disease risk. Early Childhood Health Push: South Sudan launched a National Early Childhood Development Network to improve coordination and investment across health, nutrition, education, and child protection for ages 0–8. Climate and Disease Warning: WHO classified the developing El Niño’s health impacts as a Grade Three emergency for Africa, flagging higher risks of cholera and other waterborne diseases, plus malaria and other outbreaks—South Sudan included. Regional Health Pressure: WHO said DRC’s Ebola outbreak remains uncontrolled and increasingly spread toward the South Sudan border, raising cross-border transmission concerns. Food and Nutrition Crisis: UN warned Somalia has over two million under-five children facing acute hunger and malnutrition, with severe acute malnutrition treatment needs rising.

Ebola Response: WHO says DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak remains uncontrolled, with children under five facing the highest risk of dying once infected, as surveillance and cross-border screening expand and the US pledges an extra $267m to boost life-saving care. Climate & Nutrition: WHO classifies El Niño’s health impacts as a Grade Three emergency for Africa, warning of flooding, drought, and disease outbreaks; meanwhile UN reporting flags acute hunger and malnutrition pressures across the region, including under-five children in Somalia. Food Security in the Region: An IGAD report warns Kenya, South Sudan and neighbors face sharply rising acute food insecurity, driven by conflict, insecurity, and weather extremes, with El Niño adding more disruption risk. South Sudan Early Childhood: South Sudan launches a National Early Childhood Development Network to close gaps across health, nutrition, education and child protection for ages 0–8. Healthy Living Through Sport: Central Equatoria health partners used a 6 km run to promote physical activity and disease prevention. Health System Strain: Reports highlight extreme pressure on doctors and ongoing cholera/measles health threats in South Sudan’s recent week. Water, Waste & Hygiene: Juba city council pushes cleaner streets and waste collection, while sanitation campaigns target environmental health risks.

Ebola Preparedness: WHO says the DRC Ebola outbreak remains uncontrolled and increasingly spread toward the South Sudan border, with 7,700+ cases and 3,700+ deaths reported, pushing cross-border surveillance and response strain. Cross-Border Health Security: IOM is expanding Ebola surveillance beyond DRC by screening travellers at major routes and ports, while working closely with neighbouring countries including South Sudan to reduce transmission risk. Climate & Health Emergency: WHO classifies the developing Super El Niño’s health impacts as a Grade Three emergency for Africa, warning flooding-driven cholera and other waterborne diseases in parts of the region and drought-linked malnutrition and unsafe water in others, including South Sudan. South Sudan Health System Pressure: A report highlights extreme surgical demand in South Sudan—“42 surgeries in 48 hours”—showing how violence and limited capacity quickly overwhelm care. Early Childhood Focus: South Sudan launched a national network to coordinate early childhood development across education, health, nutrition, and child protection, aiming to close long-standing implementation gaps. Urban Cleanliness & Public Health: Juba City Council introduced nightly waste collection and warned businesses and residents against illegal dumping, linking sanitation to disease prevention. Ebola Response Support: ECDC plans to send experts to reinforce surveillance and outbreak response in the DRC, with prior support including exit screening work involving South Sudan.

El Niño Health Warning: Scientists warn “Super El Niño” could drive heat-related deaths worldwide, projecting about 451,000 deaths by early 2027, with major risks for countries including South Sudan’s region through extreme heat, drought, and health stress. South Sudan Health Emergencies: South Sudan reported cholera, measles and other health threats in week 37, with cholera cases and deaths continuing across multiple counties and ongoing water, sanitation and hygiene efforts. Early Childhood Focus: South Sudan launched a National Early Childhood Development Network in Juba to close gaps in coordination, financing and delivery of services across education, health, nutrition and child protection for children aged 0–5. Medical Surge Under Pressure: A report highlights extreme surgical demand in South Sudan, where doctors faced overwhelming trauma cases—showing how conflict and violence quickly overwhelm health facilities. Clean Juba, Public Health: Juba City Council introduced nightly waste collection and warned against illegal dumping, linking sanitation directly to disease prevention and safer living conditions. Regional Ebola Watch: WHO says DRC’s Ebola outbreak remains uncontrolled and geographically spreading, raising cross-border health concerns for the wider region, including areas near South Sudan. Peacekeeping Medical Support: Vietnam’s Level-2 field hospital rotation is set to deploy to UNMISS in Bentiu, aiming to strengthen trauma and conflict-related care capacity. Protection Against Abuse: UN and partners launched a five-year strategy to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in South Sudan’s humanitarian response, strengthening accountability and safer systems.

Ebola Research in Congo: Frontline workers in Bunia began receiving the Ervebo vaccine in a study testing whether a vaccine made for one Ebola species can protect against the rare Bundibugyo virus, as Congo reports 7,600+ cases and nearly 3,700 deaths. South Sudan Health Emergencies: A weekly public health update says South Sudan faced cholera and measles threats, with 47 new cholera cases and one death reported across five counties during Sept. 7–13. Hospital Pressure in South Sudan: Doctors described extreme workload after violence, including “42 surgeries in 48 hours,” showing how conflict injuries strain surgical care. Juba Cleanliness for Public Health: Juba City Council launched/continued nightly waste collection and Saturday clean-ups, warning residents and businesses against littering to protect health. Sexual Exploitation Safeguards: UN and partners launched a five-year strategy to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment across humanitarian and peacebuilding work in South Sudan. Sudan Displacement Spillover: IOM reports 5.1 million people returning home in Sudan while 8.6 million remain displaced—damaged clinics and limited livelihoods raise risks for health and renewed displacement. Cost of Medicines: An opinion piece highlights how taxes and rising medicine prices are pushing healthcare costs higher for South Sudanese families.

Sudan Crisis & Hunger: IOM reports 5.1 million people have returned to their areas of origin in Sudan, but 8.6 million remain displaced; many return to damaged homes, closed schools and clinics that barely function, raising fears of renewed displacement without urgent support. Food Aid Pressure: WFP warns that shrinking aid is worsening one of the world’s biggest hunger crises, with El Niño-linked impacts and rising costs driving needs that are also spilling into South Sudan. Regional Climate Risk: IGAD’s climate advisory says below-normal rains are worsening drought across northern East Africa, including South Sudan, increasing risks of crop losses, water shortages and reduced pasture for livestock. South Sudan Health Emergencies: South Sudan’s weekly health emergency update flags cholera and measles threats, with cholera cases and deaths reported across multiple counties. Protection & Accountability: UN and partners launch a five-year strategy to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in South Sudan, aiming to strengthen accountability and safer systems for communities and aid workers. Juba Cleanliness & Public Health: Juba City Council rolls out nightly waste collection and warns against illegal dumping, while Juba County and Central Equatoria also push community clean-up drives to protect health. Care Under Strain: A report highlights extreme surgical pressure in South Sudan, where doctors faced dozens of operations in 48 hours amid violence-related injuries. Ebola Watch (DRC): ECDC sends experts to support Ebola surveillance and response in the DRC, as cases and deaths continue to rise.

Public Health Watch: South Sudan’s week of Sept. 7–13 saw cholera and measles risks stay high, with 47 new cholera cases and one death reported, while health teams continued water, sanitation and hygiene work and monitored an oral cholera vaccine request. Ebola Response: EU epidemiologists are heading to the DRC to reinforce Ebola surveillance and response, with South Sudan previously noted for support deployments—keeping regional preparedness in focus. Trauma Care Under Strain: Doctors in rural South Sudan faced extreme pressure after gang violence, performing 42 surgeries in 48 hours and delivering emergency C-sections amid a cycle of inter-communal attacks. Clean City, Public Health: Juba City Council rolled out nightly waste collection and warned against illegal dumping, while Juba County and Central Equatoria officials pushed weekly clean-up drives to reduce health risks from dirty environments. Health Access & Services: A China-aided Juba Teaching Hospital expansion is creating jobs and skills for nearly 500 local workers, linking infrastructure to community wellbeing. Refugee Health & Protection: Reports highlight ongoing vulnerability for LGBTQ+ refugees in Gorom settlement, where discrimination and targeted attacks continue to undermine safety.

Cholera & Measles Watch: South Sudan’s week 37 health emergency update reports 47 new cholera cases and 1 death, with Rubkona, Renk and Mayom still driving active transmission, while measles remains a major concern with 1,150 suspected cases. Clean City, Public Health: Juba County and Central Equatoria officials joined residents for Saturday clean-up drives in Kuburi Haboba and Rejaf Payam, linking waste control to better community health, while Juba City Council warned residents against littering and said by-law enforcement will follow. Hospital Expansion with Jobs: Juba Teaching Hospital’s China-aided expansion is creating nearly 500 local jobs and skills, boosting household incomes while improving capacity for care. Health System Governance: Parliament opened a public hearing on the Midwives and Nurses Bill 2026, aiming to regulate nursing and midwifery and oversee drugstore operators. Maternal & Child Care Access: Pochalla community leaders appealed for a modern health facility as isolation makes reaching Juba and Pibor difficult. Ebola Preparedness Pressure: Humanitarian access risks and insecurity are disrupting Ebola-preparedness operations, with reported abductions affecting infection-prevention and control supplies.

Surgical care under pressure in Abyei: A Medecins Sans Frontieres team supported by UN peacekeepers carried out 1,170 operations at Ameth-Bek Hospital between April and June, highlighting how fragile access to surgery remains in conflict-affected border areas. Hydrocephalus flights to save babies: Canadian Christian aviators with Mission Aviation Fellowship flew South Sudanese infants with hydrocephalus to Uganda’s CURE Children’s Hospital, with more than 300 flights completed so far as families struggle to reach neurosurgical care. Ebola response and funding strain: A new Ebola commentary warns that outbreaks can be harder to manage when funding is cut and expertise is stretched, while WHO reports the DRC epidemic is still growing even as some areas show slowing. El Niño preparedness gaps: Uganda’s El Niño plan is costed but not fully funded, leaving limited ability to pre-position supplies ahead of heavy rains. South Sudan health system needs: Pochalla residents in Pibor are appealing for a modern health facility and better access to care, and parliament opened public hearings on the Midwives and Nurses Bill 2026 to strengthen regulation and services. Food and nutrition alarm: WFP says “super El Niño” and conflict are pushing millions toward acute hunger, with 7.8 million South Sudanese facing high acute food insecurity and funding shortfalls threatening nutrition support. Humanitarian access risks: UN reports 77 humanitarian access incidents in August, including violence against personnel and assets, disrupting Ebola-preparedness and other aid operations. Community sexual health push: In Yambio, stakeholders called for stronger action to prevent early marriage and teenage pregnancy and improve access to sexual and reproductive health information.