- Honorable Yolanda Awel Deng, Minister of Health, Republic of South Sudan
- Ambassadors, Head of the EU Delegation to Republic of South Sudan
- Representatives of Development Partners
Ladies and gentlemen,
First and foremost, allow me to recognize the concerted efforts made by IGAD Mission South Sudan and development partners in addressing the Health and Socio-Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the IGAD region.
IGAD’s response to different including COVID-19 was initiated by a series of high-level meetings involving Heads of States and Governments, Ministers of Health and of Finance in March 2020.
With mandate from the Member States, IGAD developed a Regional Response Strategy for pandemics including COVID-19 and engaged development partners to mobilize resources to achieve the objectives of the strategy.
IGAD aims to reach cross border communities including migrants, refugees, and mobile populations who often have limited access to essential health services and emergency management.
The IGAD Secretariat directed the funds received from the European Union (EU) and African Development Bank (AFDB) to secure essential health services for those population groups at border points, refugee camps and migration response centers. In South Sudan, the EU-lGAD COVID-19 response program targets Nimule, Wounthou and Nadapal (Kenyan border).
The EU-IGAD COVID19 project is a unique and a successful one. To highlight a few examples of the good achievements:
- The expended budget from pandemics for South Sudan is estimated to be around 4 to 5 Million Euros including two health screening centers at 5 Million dollars in Nimule bordering Uganda and Wounthou bordering Sudan.
- The project procured two complete PCR platform to expand and strengthen the COVID-19 testing capacity in South Sudan.
- The project procured one advanced ambulance and two standard ambulances.
- Assorted PPES and related supplies were delivered to all target sites in South Sudan including testing kits, extraction kits and Nitrile gloves, etc.
- One COVID-19 national coordinator and three cross-border sites focal person are being supported to improve the coordination.
- Close and frequent engagement with the national authorities to coordinate and provide technical support to the team in South Sudan.
- Rapid Response Team of health experts has been established and receiving logistical support to visit target areas.
- Cross-border committees were established in all cross-border sites.
In addition to the above, we are here today to hand over to Ministry of Health. One mobile truck, two constructed health facilities one in Nimule and one in Wounthou.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the IGAD Secretariat’s commitment to work hand in hand with our Member States, to coordinate the response in the region and also to mobilize the necessary financial and technical support to mitigate the health and socio-economic impact of the pandemics including COVID-19 especially among the vulnerable populations in the region.
Thank you.
