Juba, 14 May – Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, arrived in South Sudan for an official one-day-visit to meet key stakeholders in an effort to ramp up support for health assistance amid the ongoing emergencies.

Dr Ihekweazu met with the Acting Minister of Health, Honorable James Hoth Mai, humanitarian partners represented by Marie Helene Verney, Acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator, as well as Timo Olkkonen, European Union Ambassador to South Sudan.

Since independence, South Sudan has grappled with a complex, protracted humanitarian crisis that is currently characterized by food insecurity, malnutrition, displacement, and the erosion of livelihoods.

The heightened political tension in the country this year has deepened this problem. Since March 2025, tensions escalated in Upper Nile State, with clashes between government forces and armed groups. This has led to worsening suffering and deaths with forced displacement including attack on healthcare.

There have been eight separate incidents of attacks on health facilities since January 2025, with health workers killed, and hospitals looted. These events have directly impacted on the access to health services for thousands of civilians.

“I congratulate the healthcare workers for their commitment, compassion and courage in the delivery of health service during these difficult times of crisis,” said Dr Ihekweazu. “I thank the Government of South Sudan for their commitment to the health and wellbeing of the people and our partners who have provided much needed support to health sector, Together, our unified front is the last line of defense against a preventable escalation of disease and instability. Continued, timely support will preserve hard‑won gains and safeguard regional health security.”

WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health to deliver health services at all levels including with provision of direct operational support: deploying rapid response teams, prepositioning medical supplies, coordinating outbreak response, and working side by side with national and humanitarian partners. WHO also train health workers and the community to deliver health services in hard-to-reach areas.

Dr Ihekweazu stressed that health challenges continue to increase and collaborative efforts including increased funding are required both locally and from partners to ensure continued provision of Health Services.