100 people have died in the South Sudan cholera outbreak, according to the UN’s Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In its weekly situation report, OCHA said there have been 4,418 total cholera cases since May, mainly in Juba, Eastern Equatoria, and Upper Nile, with a fatality rate of 2.3%, above the emergency threshold.

The biggest increase of cholera is in Wau Shilluk, a village in Upper Nile downstream from Malakal, where there have been 793 confirmed cases.

To deal with the outbreak in Wau Shilluk, OCHA said that clean water access is being ramped up and volunteers are providing the population with cholera prevention and awareness messages.  Aid agencies are also providing soap and hand washing stations.

New cholera cases are under investigation in Malakal and Bol, Upper Nile, as well as Kapoeta North, Eastern Equatoria.

In Bentiu, Unity State where there have been suspected but unconfirmed cases a new site has been prepared for a cholera treatment center.

Child mortality decreases in Bentiu

OCHA reported that the under-five mortality rate decreased in Bentiu to 1.47 children dying per day compared to 2.6 a week ago, thanks to increased primary health care, improved water and sanitation facilities, and house-to-house visits by health volunteers.

Still, 50 families continue to arrive each day to Bentiu, with an unknown number leaving, which could increase congestion at the site.  OCHA said available land that is not flooded is already stretched to capacity.

Food security

OCHA said that food security remains a “major concern” in Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile states.  The agency said that in Leer, Unity State there are more than 1,000 malnutrition cases per month, compared to only 40 per month before the conflict.

“Nearly four million people are likely to be in emergency or crisis food insecurity phases,” OCHA warned.

Rains are severely hampering delivery of aid to affected populations, with 90% of main roads in Jonglei unpassable and 75% unpassable in Unity State.

Insecurity has also slowed distribution of aid, including food. A food distribution to 37,000 people in Nhialdiu, Unity was disrupted on Tuesday by clashes between pro and anti-government forces.

The 1.8 billion US dollars requested to address South Sudan's humanitarian needs continues to be less than half funded.

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