A local non-governmental organization has distributed hygiene materials in Nimule and Melijo internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Eastern Equatoria State to help local residents combat the spread of coronavirus.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, James Wani, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program officer for Ark for Humanity said they distributed liquid soap and buckets with or without taps to ensure citizens frequently wash their hands.

He says the distribution of the hygiene materials is aimed at encouraging people to live better lives in their various communities.

“We are distributing the hand washing facilities and buckets.  We have two types of bucket, one with a tap and those without taps and we shall be reaching households with liquid soap. The purpose of doing this is to ensure COVID-19 spread is stopped”, said Wani.

He further said they are targeting 3,000 households in Nimule and Melijo.

“We have 2,000 households in Nimule and 1,000 households in Melijo. So far, they are very happy, more especially with the buckets and the soap and it has given them a clue and strategy whereby they can be able to stand with the government and humanitarian organizations to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Wani explained.

Health experts have raised concerns that the poor healthcare system in South Sudan could cause havoc.