A cholera outbreak in late 2024 continued to spread across multiple states in South Sudan in early 2025, with Unity State hardest hit. MSF launched an emergency response for hard-to-reach communities in Mayom, South Sudan, where ongoing flooding contributed to the dire situation.
Emergency response
Following the cholera outbreak declared in Renk, near the Sudanese border, on 28 October 2024, MSF responded in five out of the seven states affected, providing medical care, water and sanitation support, and community services like health education and promotion.
In mid-January 2025, MSF deployed an emergency response team to Bouth in Mayom County, where the number of people affected by cholera continued to escalate due to inadequate support. The team opened a 20-bed cholera treatment unit for the sickest patients on 22 January and oral rehydration points in surrounding areas to help prevent more serious illness.
To protect people andlimit the spread of the disease, MSF vaccinated 20,000 people. The number of cholera cases began to drop and the health situation became more stable the emergency response was closed.
Ongoing healthcare needs
Due to the nature of Mayom area however, the needs of the people continue to be dire. Unity Country has limited health facilities and due to widespread flooding over the past few years, many areas are very challenging to access. As a result, there are major gaps in the healthcare system for communities in this region.
MSF head of mission Dr Sigrid Lamberg explains the emergency response, highlighting the challenges of access and the fragility of the healthcare system in meeting the needs of the people in this community.
