UN Delegation Assesses Ebola Preparedness, Security Situation in Yei

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – A high-level United Nations delegation has on Wednesday visited Yei River County to assess the security situation, humanitarian conditions and Ebola preparedness measures as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency response and coordination in the area.

The visit came days after three humanitarian workers enroute to Libogo Boma were abducted in Balamuke village along the Yei-Lasu road.

The one-day mission was led by Rahamathan BalaKrishnan, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim. The delegation met with Yei River County Commissioner Samuel Henry Malimbo, who briefed the team on the county’s security situation before accompanying them to Libogo Boma in Lasu Payam to inspect an Ebola preparedness centre.

Speaking during the visit, BalaKrishnan praised the county administration for its cooperation and welcomed the strong partnership between humanitarian organisations and local authorities.

He noted that it was encouraging to see various partners working together to enhance preparedness against Ebola, a disease that has not been reported in South Sudan.

The delegation also included representatives from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other humanitarian organisations.

According to Oleksandr Osinsky, the mission was aimed at assessing the Ebola preparedness centre in Libogo as part of wider efforts to ensure readiness in the event of a public health emergency.

Meanwhile, OCHA representative Majok Mayuen thanked Commissioner Malimbo for hosting the delegation and announced plans for a follow-up meeting with the county administration to strengthen collaboration.

Commissioner Malimbo reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of humanitarian workers operating across Yei River County and underscored the importance of continued cooperation in addressing security concerns.

Commenting on recent reports of abductions, Malimbo described the perpetrators as criminal elements and called for closer collaboration between government authorities and humanitarian agencies to prevent future incidents and improve security for both civilians and aid workers.

He further stressed the need for timely information sharing whenever security threats emerge, noting that some criminal groups operate from concealed locations.

The delegation later visited the isolation facilities at Yei Civil Hospital, accompanied by the hospital’s medical director and the county health director, to evaluate existing preparedness infrastructure and response capacity.

Malimbo expressed confidence in the security arrangements surrounding the mission and said the visit would contribute to stronger humanitarian coordination and emergency preparedness in the county.

He also commended IOM for its continued support to local communities through livelihood programmes, preparedness initiatives and economic empowerment activities.

The visit comes as government authorities and humanitarian partners intensify efforts to enhance emergency preparedness, strengthen coordination mechanisms and address security challenges affecting communities and humanitarian operations across Yei River County.