After two decades of civil war, a referendum on independence for Southern Sudan was held in January 2011, with 98.83% of the electorate opting for secession. Southern Sudan is expected to become an independent country on July 9, 2011. Upon independence, the country is expected to be named Republic of South Sudan.
This marks a great turning point for the people of Africa's youngest nation and Africa in general. Southern Sudan has great potential, natural resources and support from the international community. However, the history of civil war has left Southern Sudan with the worst health situation in the world.
According to the United Nations Development Programme in Southern Sudan, the incidence of poverty is very high and development remains amongst the lowest in the world, as measured by all indicators. Livelihoods are largely at subsistence level and economic development remains depressed. In Southern Sudan, public services are virtually non-existent, leaving people in these areas isolated in terms of access to basic services including health services. Only 25% of the population has access to basic health care.
| During the protracted war, AMREF stayed and worked in SPLA-controlled areas under the auspices of the then Secretariat of Health, later renamed Ministry of Health, Government of Southern Sudan, with the aim of reaching vulnerable communities in war-torn areas |
AMREF’s presence in Southern Sudan dates back to the early 1970s just after the end of the first civil war of 17 years (1955-1972). AMREF played a key role in developing primary health care and a basic package of health services from 1974-1990.
Click on the image to view a picture slideshow of AMREF's work in Southern Sudan
Today, AMREF, in close partnership with the Government of Southern Sudan's Ministry of Health, runs several community-based health development projects, directly reaching more than half a million people including; a Maternal, Newborn and Child Health programme and a Basic Health Service Package project both in Terekeka County; a Primary Health Care Services as well as a Water and Sanitation project in Juba County; and a polio immunisation programme in Morobo County.
"The first Independence celebrations will be from July 9 – 11, 2011. I expect many people from the Diaspora, from the countryside, and dignitaries, all whom will join Southern Sudan people in celebrating freedom, freedom to be us, and freedom to travel without any hindrances that we have been used to. I am very happy that we are finally independent. We have fought long and hard and it is about time that we can be a democratic country. I would like to see Southern Sudan be a model of democracy for the rest of the continent; to develop as a country as means of developing Africa; and to be a leader in development." Edward Yugu, Director General of Sports, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Recreation, Government of South Sudan "On the day of Independence I expect many people who will come together to celebrate. There will be many sports being played that day such as football, volleyball and basketball. It is my wishes that combining sports in the celebrations that day, this will in turn bring people closer together for the new nation and as a new nation. I would like South Sudan to be a country where there is no more blood shed and no more fighting. I want Southern Sudan to be like Kenya." Ohissa Francis, Athlete |
