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Addressing the Health Crisis in East Jubal Mara NIDO’s Emergency Response Efforts:
East Jubal Mara, a remote and mountainous region straddling North Darfur and Central Darfur, has become a focal point of humanitarian concern due to its hard-to-reach terrain and limited access to essential services. The area is currently hosting a significant influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs), who have fled their homes amidst the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The urgent need for medical care and humanitarian intervention in this region has prompted swift action from organizations like NIDO, who are working tirelessly to address the situation.
The Emerging Crisis
On December 17th, NIDO received alarming updates from Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) regarding suspected health issues in the villages surrounding Sunny. In response, NIDO immediately mobilized an Emergency Response Team, consisting of a medical doctor, a vaccinator, and a nutritionist. The team traveled to the affected villages to assess the situation. Their findings were concerning: eight suspected cases of illness were identified and treated on the spot.
The following day, two additional cases were reported at the Dirbat clinic, prompting NIDO to establish an Isolation Center in Dirbat. Staffed by a dedicated medical team and equipped with essential medications, including Vitamin A for severe cases, the center has already admitted two patients for intensive care.
Coordinated Efforts for Verification and Vaccination
Recognizing the scale of the challenge, NIDO facilitated a mission for the Sudan Ministry of Health’s Emergency Humanitarian Action (SMoH/EHA) department from Nyala to East Jabal Marra. The team arrived on December 20th to verify the outbreak and initiate vaccination campaigns. A field coordination meeting was convened in Jawa, bringing together NIDO, MSF, and MoH EHA representatives to strategize a unified response.
Community Awareness and Outreach
To curb the spread of illness, NIDO and MSF launched a community awareness campaign on December 21st. Through outreach interventions, they aimed to educate residents in affected areas such as Sunny, Jawa, Dirbat, Dera, Kurny, and other nearby villages like Sorro. These efforts are critical in empowering communities with knowledge about disease prevention and early detection.
Strengthening Healthcare Capacity
In parallel with its emergency response, NIDO is investing in long-term capacity building for healthcare providers in the region. On-the-job training sessions are being conducted for all Primary Health Care (PHC) staff on measles prevention and case management. Triage systems have been established at all PHC entry points to quickly identify and isolate potential cases. These measures have already borne fruit, with over 200 cases identified and treated across NIDO clinics.
A Call for Support
Given the scale of the crisis, NIDO has reached out to UNICEF, WHO, and the Ministry of Health (MoH), appealing for additional support to bolster their response efforts. The organization is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in this challenging time.
The Road Ahead
The situation in East Jabal Marra underscores the urgent need for sustained humanitarian assistance in hard-to-reach areas. While organizations like NIDO and MSF are leading the charge, the complexity of the crisis requires a collaborative approach involving local authorities, international agencies, and community stakeholders.
As we look ahead, it is imperative to continue supporting these efforts to save lives and restore hope in East Jabal Marra. Every action counts in this critical fight against disease and displacement.
Stay tuned for updates as NIDO and its partners work tirelessly to bring relief to those in need. Together, we can make a difference.
