South Sudan | Public Health in Rubkona County: Key Findings from our July 2024 Assessment

Our July 2024 Integrated Public Health Rapid Assessment for Rubkona County sheds light on the unprecedented public health crises affecting IDP settlements in Bentiu Town, Bentiu IDP Camp, and Rotriak. Rubkona hosts more than 175,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) due to conflict and flooding with an influx of returnees arriving from Sudan. This report identifies critical gaps in food security, sanitation, healthcare, and shelter. 

Key findings 

• 63% of households are facing food consumption gaps indicative of emergency conditions, particularly in Rotriak. Additionally, 93% of households in Rotriak practice open defecation due to a lack of sanitation facilities, raising serious health concerns.

• Sanitation conditions are also concerning, particularly in Rotriak, where 93% of households practice open defecation due to a severe lack of latrines. In Bentiu IDP Camp, latrines are full, and desludging is inconsistent, especially as flood water overflows the waste into communities, raising significant health risks. The assessment shows that both locations are highly vulnerable to the spread of waterborne diseases, especially with the onset of the rainy season. 

• Access to healthcare remains a challenge, yet 41% of individuals reported illness within two weeks prior to the assessment. Since 2018, Rubkona has been battling an ongoing Hepetitis E outbreak, largely due to poor sanitation and lack of clean water. At the time of this assessment in July 2024, a rampant increase in cases of diarrhea and malaria was reported, along with shortage of medications and low vaccination coverage, adding further stress to the already strained health system.    

• 61% of households reported major damage and leaks to their roofs, and over half also sustained damage to their walls. Overcrowding, particularly in Bentiu IDP Camp, forces families to share shelters or settle in WASH corridors, compromising both privacy, safety and health. 

The full report provides a detailed understanding of the current conditions in Rubkona County’s IDP sites, highlighting ongoing challenges and drivers in food security, healthcare access, sanitation, and shelter. As flood water persists and returnees continue to arrive, this assessment underscores the importance and urgency to scale up humanitarian response and multisectoral collaboration to prioritize the needs of IDPs. For the full report, click here.