South Sudan to Benefit from $162M U.S.-Backed Ebola Preparedness Program Across East and Central Africa

South Sudan is expected to benefit from a major U.S.-backed regional Ebola preparedness and response initiative worth more than $162 million, aimed at strengthening disease surveillance, border health screening, and emergency response systems across East and Central Africa. READ FULL ARTICLE/ WATCH VIDEO.

The funding, announced through the U.S. Department of State, is designed to enhance early detection of Ebola and other infectious disease threats by improving health monitoring systems at key points of entry, particularly in high-risk border areas.

Health authorities say the program comes at a critical time for South Sudan, which shares porous borders with countries such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), both of which have experienced repeated Ebola outbreaks in recent years. 

The frequent movement of people, traders, and refugees across these borders increases the risk of cross-border transmission.

A key component of the initiative is the expansion of disease surveillance and screening operations at border crossings. 

These measures are intended to identify potential cases early, isolate suspected infections, and prevent the spread of the virus into communities.