To give you an idea of the situation in South Sudan, here's a bit of bedtime reading for you. Thanks to Oxfam for the info.
"For all but 11
years since independence in 1956, until the signing of a peace agreement in
January 2005, southern Sudan experienced civil war. During the nearly 40 years
of conflict, an estimated two million people died, four million were displaced
internally and at least 500,000 fled to neighbouring countries. Systematic
targeting of civilian populations by armed forces, during which assets were
looted, burned or destroyed, disrupted livelihoods and caused widespread
displacement and food insecurity. Periodic floods and droughts exacerbated the
already intense suffering.
The post-war situation of southern
Sudan is of poor or non-existent basic infrastructure and services, and
frequent disease outbreaks such as cholera, acute watery diarrhoea,
uncontrolled malaria, meningitis, haemorrhagic fevers and natural disasters
such as flooding and droughts. Simultaneously and ultimately, there is a need
for long-term initiatives and sustainable development, as many of the recurrent
humanitarian needs in southern Sudan are the result of decades of neglect and
marginalisation. But longer-term interventions have not been adequately funded
or supported by the donors or the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS).
The effects of decades of conflict and mass
displacement together with southern Sudan’s historic marginalisation make political
and economic reconstruction a colossal task. The lack of infrastructure,
economic opportunities and basic services mean southern Sudan has some of the
worst humanitarian indicators in the world. The resettlement of an estimated 2
million people is putting an additional burden on an already extremely
vulnerable and underserved population. Poverty rates are amongst the highest in
the world; with over 90% of people living on an income of less than USD 1 per day. Reportedly, one in every seven southern Sudanese children dies before
the age of five, mainly from preventable diseases such as malaria and
diarrhoea.[1] Life expectancy overall is just 42 years and the maternal mortality
rate for Southern Sudan – 2,037 per 100,000 live births[2]
– is the highest in the world. Access to
any form of healthcare remains very limited. Tropical diseases such as malaria,
tuberculosis and leishmaniasis are endemic, and cholera, meningococcal
meningitis and yellow fever epidemics are common. Southern Sudan has one of the
lowest routine immunisation coverage rates in the world, with only 10 per cent
of children fully vaccinated.[3] Despite some modest gains,
however, southern Sudan still has some of the highest child and maternal
mortality rates in the world.
As a result of the
past conflict in Sudan, the longest war in Africa, water sources, sanitation
and health services in the area have been put under an ever-increasing strain.
With limited infrastructure, the populations in Upper Nile are vulnerable to
massive health risks.
In Southern Sudan, 48% of the population have access
to drinking water. However, only 13% of existing water sources are protected. Many existing water points are non-functional
because of a lack of proper operation and maintenance (O&M) systems, poor
infrastructure and overuse. As per available data, 30% of existing water points
are currently non functional, because of inappropriate choices of technology
type, location, flaws in design, and population movements
Sanitation coverage
in Southern Sudan is very poor, with only 15% access to adequate sanitation and
only 6% for excreta disposal[4]. The combination of
lack of safe water, lack of sanitation facilities and low hygiene awareness
renders the public health situation in southern Sudan extremely
precarious."
So, we, and the world, have quite a challenge ahead.
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