By James Chatim

The Murle community of Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) are calling on members of the community and well-wishers to fundraise and aid in combating the cholera outbreak that has threatened the lives of thousands in the area.

Speaking to The City Review on Wednesday, John Ngayo Giro, chairman of the Murle Fundraising and Management committee said GPAA recorded a high number of cases and deaths, which necessitated the call for an urgent action even as the area ran out of medicines.

Ngayo said the humanitarian organizations operating in the area are overwhelmed by rising cases as they face acute shortage of drugs.

He commended government and non-governmental organizations for helping the communities from the outbreak and preventing it to escalate the health situation.

“The health situation in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area is very bad. It started on the 3rd of January, 2025, in a place called Likuangole County in Pibor, where many people were affected by cholera,” said Ngayo.

“Many people were infected in these two areas but I would like to thank the government of South Sudan, led by President Salva Kiir, as well as other organizations supplying drugs in Pibor Administrative Area for their support even though the drugs are not enough,” he added.

Ngayo said the disease continues to pose a threat in three counties of Likuangole, Fertat and Gumuruk.

 “There are drugs but still not enough for the three counties in Pibor, Gomoruk, and Fertat. On Saturday, 22 people died from the disease in Labrab. Many people died in the area due to shortage of drugs.”

In March 2025, authorities in Greater Pibor Administrative Area said cholera fatalities rose to 144, with 785 new cases.

Meanwhile, the National Ministry of Health so far recorded 700 cholera fatalities and 40,000 cases since October 2024.

Peter Guzulu Maze, the Chief Administrator for the Greater Pibor Administrative Area told the media that they found it overwhelming managing the increasing number of patients.

“As of March 23, 2025, the Greater Pibor Administrative Area continues to grapple with a severe cholera outbreak. We report that there are currently 785 patients admitted across the counties of Lekuangole, Pibor, and Gumuruk,” he said.

“The recorded total number of deaths attributed to cholera has tragically risen to 148. The breakdown of these fatalities is as follows: Gumuruk County 9 in medical facilities and 18 in community residential areas, Pibor County 30 at the Pibor Hospital and Lekuangole County 20 in clinics and 71 in community residential areas,” he continued.

Guzulu decried shortage of resources to manage the increasing number of patients in Greater Pibor.

“There are no cholera vaccinations available in GPAA at this time, and we face shortages of beds, mattresses, mosquito nets, and essential sanitation supplies, including soap,” he said.

He however stated that the national Ministry of Health managed to send medical supplies with five medical staff to assist in managing the situation.