Sudan - UNICEF Vaccinates One Millionth Child

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001447 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AFR/SP NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS USMISSION UN ROME GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NAIROBI FOR SFO NSC FOR JBRAUSE, TSHORTLEY USUN FOR TMALY BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV TBIO PHUM SOCI SU SUBJECT: Sudan - UNICEF Vaccinates One Millionth Child Against Measles in Southern Sudan -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. On June 16, 2006, USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) Disaster Operations Specialist Jennifer Mayer spoke at a U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) event in Bentiu, Unity State, celebrating the measles vaccination of the one millionth child in Southern Sudan. The Mass Measles Campaign has enormously improved immunization coverage in Southern Sudan by involving the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, the U.N. World Health Organization (WHO),and dozens of local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). USAID/OFDA has contributed more than USD 1 million to UNICEF's Mass Measles Campaign since 2004. End summary. -------------- Mass Measles Campaign Reaches Milestone -------------- ¶2. On June 16, 2006, USAID/OFDA Disaster Operations Specialist Jennifer Mayer attended and presented remarks on behalf of USAID at a UNICEF event held in Bentiu, Unity State, to celebrate the measles vaccination of the one millionth child in Southern Sudan. The day included presentations by USAID, the Unity State Ministry of Health, representatives of the Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, the Director of UNICEF Southern Sudan, the Director of WHO Southern Sudan, representatives from the office of the Governor of Unity State, and the Ministry of Health for Southern Sudan. ¶3. Remarks made during the event stressed the need for continued support to the health sector in Southern Sudan and pointed to wider access to health services for all communities as an essential element to sustaining peace in the south. Access to health services is one of the most tangible and important dividends of the peace agreement in Southern Sudan and will be necessary for the return and resettlement of populations displaced by the war. ¶4. Both spontaneous and state-sponsored returns have continued in Unity State in the first half of 2006, with more than 5,500 returnees reported to have arrived in 
April alone. Returnees are concentrated primarily in and around the towns of Bentiu/Rubkona, Paryang, Abiemnom, Guit, and Leer, making the provision of basic services critical. In general, returnees are reintegrating peacefully, although problems have been reported over availability of water and lack of relief items such as plastic sheeting for shelter. (Note: Local building materials are scarce since the start of the rainy season in May. End note.) USAID/OFDA is funding seven NGO partners in Unity State in FY 2006, providing relief commodities to returnee households; food security, agriculture and fisheries activities; clean water; support to veterinary programs; and primary health care. USAID/OFDA partner PACT is working with UNICEF and others to install 70 new boreholes in Unity State in 2006. ¶5. USAID/OFDA has contributed USD 1,050,000 to UNICEF's Mass Measles Campaign throughout Southern Sudan since ¶2004. Currently, outbreaks of measles in the south occur most commonly in children ages 10 to 15 years. Measles immunization coverage in the country is estimated at only 18 percent. The Mass Measles Campaign for Southern Sudan has put forth an enormous effort to improve this coverage, involving the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO, and dozens of local and international NGO partners. Lack of trained health workers and infrastructure in Southern Sudan, including transportation, vaccine storage capacity, and health facilities, have presented a significant challenge in attaining the one millionth child milestone. Additional complications stem from difficulties in reaching underserved, rural populations and managing access to shifting populations as returns continue throughout the south. ¶6. USAID, through humanitarian and bilateral funding has KHARTOUM 00001447 002 OF 002 provided major support to health care in Southern Sudan. USAID/OFDA has provided more than USD 23 million per year over the past two years to NGO and UN partners to support primary health care activities, including health facilities, health care workers, training, essential drugs and medical supplies. In mid-2004, USAID was the first donor to begin developmental health activities in Southern Sudan with the Sudan Health Transformation Project. In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been active in disease surveillance and is strengthening the capacity of the nascent Ministry of Health with epidemiological training. The U.S. Government remains a committed partner with the Ministry of Health to improve health care in all of Southern Sudan. HUME