The authorities of the Abyei Administrative Area on Thursday said vaccination against cholera commenced on Wednesday in Rumamer and Alal counties.
According to officials, Ameth-Aguok County was left out of the exercise due to insecurity. Armed Messiriyia pastoralists from Sudan attacked Amiet Community Police Station on Wednesday and killed two policemen and wounded a man and a woman.
Abyei declared a cholera outbreak in June. After two weeks, the health ministry reported that 19 people had succumbed to the disease while thousands were infected.
Local health officials last week said they had requested 600,000 doses of the cholera vaccine, equivalent to the estimated population in the area, including refugees, but received only 190,000 doses.
Abyei Health Minister Dr. Ayom Kurchiek said they commenced the vaccination exercise across Rumamer and Alal counties and hopes that Ameth Aguok County will soon follow when security improves.
“Ameth Aguok County in the northern part of Abyei missed the vaccination on Wednesday due to fear caused by the armed Messiriyia group shooting a police station,” he said. “Hopefully, people will start there soon when security becomes calm. However, Rumamer and Alal counties have already started.”
He added that 2,188 people have contracted cholera and 29 died at the Amiet Cholera Center. Health workers who were running the facility fled due to insecurity.
Meanwhile, Abyei Information Minister Yuohna Akol confirmed the commencement of the vaccination exercise.
“Health officials from the national health ministry came from Juba and launched the vaccination campaign on Wednesday. We had planned for 600,000 vaccines for full coverage, but we received 190,000 doses, which is less,” he stated. “However, the little in hand is better than none, and it will help reduce cases of cholera in Abyei.”