AFENET strengthens outbreak response and protects vulnerable children in South Sudan

South Sudan continues to face repeated disease outbreaks due to conflict, population movement, flooding, and a fragile health system. In 2025, the country responded to an outbreak of vaccine-derived polio virus that threatened millions of children. With support from development partners, AFENET provided targeted technical assistance to the Ministry of Health to strengthen outbreak response, improve vaccination coverage, and support early detection of disease. This intervention focused on protecting children under five and helping national and county health teams respond quickly and effectively.

Working closely with the Ministry of Health of South Sudan, county health departments, and frontline health workers and other key partners including WHO, CDC, UNICEF, Community leaders, traditional healers, and community health workers, AFENET deployed public health consultants to support outbreak response activities at national level and in high-risk counties. AFENET supported planning and supervision of polio vaccination campaigns, visited health facilities and communities to look for sick children, reviewed patient records, and provided on-the-job support to health workers. The work also strengthened routine vaccination services, supported safe transport of samples for testing, and helped county teams plan outreach to hard-to-reach communities.

The main objectives were to stop the spread of polio, protect children through vaccination, improve early reporting of sick children, and strengthen the ability of health workers to respond to outbreaks. We aimed to ensure that no area was missed during vaccination campaigns and that health facilities and communities could quickly report suspected cases.

AFENET’s support led to strong, measurable results below:

• 3 million children were vaccinated in each of the first two national polio vaccination rounds, achieving 103% and 111% coverage. A later sub-national campaign reached 2.25 million children, achieving 104% coverage.
• 455 children with sudden paralysis were reported nationwide in 2025, giving a detection rate of 01 per 100,000 children, double the minimum target.
• 94% of samples from suspected cases were collected on time and were suitable for testing.
• No county was missed—all 80 counties reported cases, meaning there were zero silent counties.
• 61 health workers were trained during facility visits, improving their ability to identify and report sick children.
• Active searches found previously missed cases, including 3 children with paralysis and 16 measles cases, allowing faster response.

AFENET’s work in South Sudan shows how focused technical support can save lives, even in difficult settings. By strengthening vaccination campaigns, improving early detection of illness, and building the skills of health workers, AFENET helped protect millions of children and supported the country’s response to a serious outbreak. Continued support from development partners is essential to sustain these gains, prevent future outbreaks, and strengthen South Sudan’s health system for the long term.