F.A.C.C Press Release: ugent appeal for emergency vaccines against meningitis in the State of NBG
February 23rd 2007
Dear citizens and friends of Aweil community,
The Federation of Aweil Communities in Canada wishes to inform you and general public that it is nearly a month now since meningitis epidemic broke out in the State of Northern Bhar-El-Gazel (NBG). The epidemic has already claimed the lives of many citizens and many more are in critical condition. As we wrote this press release, the epidemic is not showing any sign of ending.
The office of the F.A.C.C has been in constant talk with the governor of NBG, Mr. Madut Bair over the problem. According to the governor, the State has, to a larger degree; contained the killer disease however, there is an urgent need for State wide vaccination. The epidemic is largely concentrated in the western region of Aweil; nevertheless, the Governor advised that if immediate precautions are not taken, it could easily engulf the entire State.
As many of you are aware, the health condition throughout Southern Sudan is indescribable. There are neither equipped hospitals nor trained personnel to deal with the epidemic like the one presently killing people in NBG. Aweil citizens in the Diaspora are therefore called upon to urgently join hands in an effort to save lives that are currently at risk. The biggest challenge facing the NBG
State authorities, as mentioned above, is lack of vaccines against the meningitis.
The F.A.C.C is therefore writing this press message to urge Aweil citizens in the Diaspora as well as their friends and well-wishers to urgently appeal to the governments, organizations, hospitals, schools, churches and communities, in their places of residence, to become involve in this drive to raise vaccines against meningitis in NBG. Aweil citizens and friends should take immediate action by writing letters to their local communities, churches, et cetera, asking them to support this urgent effort to raise vaccines against the epidemic. It should be noted that, without vaccines against meningitis, the lives of thousands of people in NBG will be at stake. Please take this press message along with your letters to those who might be in position to help explaining to them the urgency of the situation.
F.A.C.C also wises to appeal to the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) and the Government of National Unity (GoNU) to direct appropriate resources toward curbing the ongoing epidemic in Northern Bhar-El-Gazel. We fully understand that both the GoSS and GoNU are overwhelmed by the reconstruction effort of the war-torn country - Sudan; however, efforts aimed at addressing the killer epidemic in NBG should take precedence over other priorities. This epidemic has stretched State’s meager resources to the breaking point, and so, F.A.C.C strongly urges the two governments to give immediate attention to the worsening health situation in NBG by contributing toward raising enough vaccines for the entire State. Thank you.
Yours Faithfully,
Ashuein Achuil Alor,
President,
Federation of Aweil Communities in Canada
alrashuein@hotmail.com
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