IOM scales up resources to curb malaria upsurge in S. Sudan

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says it has scaled up resources to respond to an upsurge in malaria cases at the UN protection of civilians (PoC) site in Bentiu, northern South Sudan.

IOM attributed the upsurge to the start of the rainy season, which boosts the spread of vector-borne diseases.

IOM's Migration Health Emergency Coordinator, Andrew Mbala, said on Saturday that during the first two weeks of June, malaria cases more than doubled in the PoC site, accounting for at least 50 percent of all health consultations at IOM's two primary health care clinics in the site.

"Malaria is now the number one leading disease in the PoC site. All persons with fever are advised to come for early testing and treatment to reduce mortality and disease burden," Mbala said in a statement.

"To decongest clinics as health consultations increases, IOM plans to construct temporary health outposts to increase access to primary health care and encourage timely health-seeking habits," Mbala said.

According to UN, over two years of civil war in South Sudan has displaced more than 2.4 million people and left an estimated 6.1 million people in need of protection and humanitarian assistance.

More than 95,000 internally displaced people in South Sudan are currently seeking shelter at the Bentiu PoC site.

IOM provides safe drinking water for more than 43,300 people at the site on a daily basis, as well as maintain sanitation facilities and conduct regular waste disposal.

IOM said it will continue to provide multi-sector assistance to displaced and vulnerable populations across the country, both in PoC sites and remote locations, as part of multi-agency efforts to reach 5.1 million people with life-saving aid this year. Endit