UNICEF is vaccinating the returnees√É’children against measles in collaboration with the GoSS ministry of Health and World Health Organization.
Yasmin Haque, the head of UNICEF in South Sudan, told SCR News that the agency checks if the children are vaccinated upon arrival to see if they need the vaccine.Ms. Haque added that UNICEF is trying to reunite children who lost contact with relatives during the journey home.
Ms. Haque said water and sanitation are extremely important for children since they are vulnerable to outbreaks of water-borne diseases.
She revealed that UNCEF is establishing water points and latrines in the returnees’ transit camps and final settlements.
Ms. Haque noted that children received playing equipments including footballs and skipping ropes to ensure that they do not stray off to the markets.
There are an estimated 180 thousand returnees from north Sudan in the recent weeks. The number is expected to rise since more are transported in daily.