UNICEF has donated three vehicles and 20 motorcycles to the three counties of Kapoeta East, North and South of Eastern Equatoria State yesterday to support eradication of Guinea Worm. The event was witnessed by the Governor Louis Lobong Lojore.

Guinea worm infects people when they drink water that contains water fleas infected with guinea worm larvae.  Initially there are no symptoms but about one year later the person may develops a painful burning feeling as a blister in the skin. The disease is not fatal but may be very painful.

Speaking on Tuesday during the handover ceremony at UNICEF's compound, Governor Louis Lobong Lojore said the vehicles will not be diverted for any private use but rather the purpose brought for it.

“I wanted to assure the UNICEF and the other donors that these are going to use accordingly for the purpose that had been made: that is to facilitate and maintain the water facilities that UNICEF and other donors have built in East Equatoria particular in the three counties of Kapoeta,” he said.

Governor Lobong said UNICEF had done a lot in East Equatoria by building some schools and other water points.

For her part, Ettie Higgins, UNICEF Deputy Representative said that as part of the Guinea Worm eradication efforts in the country, UNICEF has been drilling and rehabilitating boreholes in suspected guinea worm areas to provide safe and clean water to the communities.

“As you may all be aware the greater Kapoeta region is the epicenter of guinea worm disease in South Sudan in addition to Warrap and Lakes state. Today we are happy to announce that this year only four cases have been reported,” she said.

Ettie said last year South Sudan reported 70 cases of Guinea Worm disease, down from more than 500 cases in 2013.