Healthcare
Geography
Area: 2.5 million sq. km. (967,500 sq. mi.); the largest country in Africa and almost the size of continental U.S. east of the Mississippi River.
Cities: Juba (capital of southern region).Land boundaries: Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, and Uganda.
Terrain: Generally flat with mountains in east and west. Climate: Desert and savanna in the north and central regions and tropical in the south Sudan.
People
Nationality: Sudanese.Population (2005 est.): 40.2 million; 30%-33% urban.
Annual growth rate (2004 est.): 2.6%.Ethnic groups: Arab/Muslim north and black African/Christian south. Religions: Islam (North), indigenous beliefs (southern Sudan), Christianity. Languages: Arabic, English, tribal languages.
Government and Political Conditions
Prior to the 2005 CPA, Sudan had an authoritarian government in which all effective political power was in the hands of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.Bashir and his party has controlled the government since he led the military coup in1989.
The CPA established a new Government of National Unity and the Interim national Government of Southern Sudan and called for wealth-sharing, power-sharing, and security arrangements between the two parties. SPLM leader, installed as First Vice President. Ratification of the Interim National Constitution followed. The Constitution declares Sudan to be a “democratic, decentralized, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-lingual State.”
To date, other implemented provisions of the CPA include the formation of the National Assembly, appointment of Cabinet members, signing of the Southern Sudan Constitution, and the appointment of state governors and adoption of state constitutions.
New commissions have also been created. Thus far, those formed include the Assessment and Evaluation Commission, National Petroleum Commission, Fiscal and Financial Allocation and Monitoring Commission, and the North-South Border Commission. The Ceasefire Political Commission, Joint Defense Board, and Ceasefire Joint Military Committee were also established as part of the security arrangements of the CPA.
CURRENT SECURITY SITUATION
Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria
The security status in Eastern Equatorial is currently some what predictable given the signing of the peace agreement between the SPLA and government of Sudan.And the on going peace talks between government of Uganda and LRA which has been the main set back of development in Magwi County.
Impact of the civil war on the people of South Sudan
Southern Sudan is one of the countries suffering from the worst poverty and socioeconomic conditions in Africa and the needs are enormous in the areas of basic health/water service ,infrastructure, food security, , education/construction of schools, livelihood support and recovery. This is due to the massive displacements caused by conflicts which have led to loss of lives, property, infrastructure, services and assets.
Approximately 5.3 to 6.7 million people have been displaced by the civil war and over two million have died. About 580,000 IDP and refugees have been returning home since from May 2005 to March 2006. This movement is a combination of; North-South returns: 58% of total number of returns; South-South returns: 26%; Neighboring country South returns: 16%.
Education
The war caused the collapse of economic and social infrastructure including the education facilities. A situation analysis estimates that over 70% of school age children in South Sudan do not receive an education of any sort, nor has there been any formal education for 17 years.
Health conditions
The epidemiological profile of south Sudan, Magwi County is marked by a heavy burden of endemic diseases, including a growing threat from HIV/AIDS, and high risk of epidemics and with life expectancy at birth is 58 years, and the disability-adjusted life. Life expectancy is around 43 years.
Disease Surveillance and control:
Communicable diseases are a major concern. The main causes of morbidity and mortality are infectious and parasitic diseases (tuberculosis, diarrhea, malaria, measles, skin diseases and acute respiratory infections) and epilepsy .Southern Sudan hosts an estimated 80% of the total guinea-worm cases world wide. Sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis are endemic and sever epidemics have been reported. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is low but showing a steadily increasing rate.
Nutrition:
In Southern Sudan, the acute and chronic malnutrition in children under five is estimated deteriorates below 16%. Micronutrient deficiencies including iodine and vitamin A are common
Health services and infrastructure:
As IDPs and refugees begin to return to Southern Sudan, there is an urgent need to rebuild the shattered health system. The very high morbidity and mortality rates are reflected in the overall lack of health infrastructure and qualified health Personnel in the region. A lack of trained health workers, pharmaceutical supplies, health and information management systems and mechanisms for the coordination of health care are the most pressing priorities.
OPERATION NEHEMIAH MISSION
Operation Nehemiah is USA based Christian organization established in 1993, by its founder and current president William Levi with a special mission in the South Sudan to restore spiritual growth, improve the health status and transform people of Magwi County to be self reliable.
Activities
Operation Nehemiah offers various activities in Magwi county South Sudan. Among others are; spreading gospel of Jesus Christ, Agriculture, Education, repatriation and resettlement program, Medical health services, microfinance projects,(boat and computer services) and water drilling.
Operation Nehemiah helps meet healthcare needs in these focus areas: