South-Sudan COVID-19 Joint Response 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak in South Sudan comes against the backdrop of an already dire humanitarian situation, since 7.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance (HNO, 2020). Tonj North (T.N), a county with a COVID Risk of 4,33/10, has to deal with inter-communal clashes on top of the COVID-19 thread. WASH: only 38% of the households in South Sudan reported having access to safe water. According to an assessment done in February 2020 in T.N 220 out of the 350 handpumps are non-functional due to the lack of spare parts and poor maintenance. Women and girls have to walk approximately 3km to the nearest water point and these sources are often crowded increasing the risk of being exposed to Covid-19. In addition, there is limited access to hand washing facilities both at household levels and at public places. Health: 56% of the population of South Sudan does not have access to primary health care services. Out of the 2.300 facilities more than 1.300 are non-functional (HNO, 2020). Available health centers are overcrowded, and are lacking both PPE, materials and supplies to treat patients. Protection: 7.5 million South Sudanese are in need of emergency assistance while 1.85 million of these (25%) require GBV support (HNO, 2020). Schools are closed since March 2020 and children are at increased risk of becoming a victim of GBV. On top of this over 95,000 in T.N are displaced as a result of the communal conflicts. Tonj North is one of the priority locations for GBV (HRP June ’20). World Vision (WV) in partnership with The Organisation for Children Harmony (TOCH) focuses on an integrated response to increase the access to safe water (rehabilitation of 14 water sources), distribution of soap, and hand washing facilities in schools and health facilities; increase the capacity of health workers’ access to necessary supplies and equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19; and increase the capacity to deliver adequate SGBV and psychosocial support.