Migration Health

Decades of war in South Sudan have led to a virtual collapse of the country’s health care system and led to some of the worst key health indicators globally, with more than 4.6 million people in need of health assistance in 2015.

IOM health initiatives are guided by the 61st World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolution 61.17 on the Health of Migrants that aims to improve the well-being of migrants, mobile populations and communities affected by migration by responding to their health needs throughout all phases of the migration process. Programmes cover a range of issues, including emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, malaria and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

IOM operates health care clinics in the UN protection of civilian (PoC) sites in Bentiu, Unity State, and Malakal, Upper Nile State, providing primary and reproductive health care for internally displaced persons (IDPs). In addition, a network of health care clinics in Renk County, Upper Nile, provide support to displaced and host communities near the border with Sudan. From January to September 2015, IOM conducted nearly 124,300 health consultations at its clinics in Bentiu, Malakal and Renk.

To reach remote populations or respond to sudden disease outbreaks, IOM can quickly deploy health rapid response teams. Since July 2014, these teams have conducted 15 missions, including providing primary and reproductive health care in Jonglei State’s Ayod County, conducting mass vaccination campaigns in Unity and Upper Nile, and supporting the cholera response in Juba, Central Equatoria State.