Deep South Sudan

Matt Kynes, who spent a delightful three months with us last year, sent me a recent report from the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). Lise Grande, whose title rivals the Mississippi River in length, authored the report and describes the situation in the South as a “humanitarian perfect storm” that has developed as a result of three main factors: 1) spiraling inter-tribal conflict, 2) a massive food gap and 3) the budget crisis. He also has some frightening numbers to share:

o More than 90% of the population lives on less than a dollar a day;
o 1.2 million people in Southern Sudan are food deficit and will need assistance during this year;
o One out of seven women who become pregnant will probably die of pregnancy related complications;
o There are only 10 certified midwives in all of Southern Sudan;
o 92% of women in Southern Sudan cannot read and write;
o Only 27% of girls are in school and there are 1,000 primary school pupils per
teacher;
o 97% of the population has no access to sanitation;
o Polio, once eradicated from Southern Sudan has reemerged;
o Some of the deadliest diseases in the world are prevalent in Southern Sudan,
including Cholera, Meningitis, Rift Valley Fever, Ebola, Haemorraghic Fever and Guinea Worm; Polio has re-emerged.
o And perhaps the two statistics that capture it all: a 15 year old girl has a higher chance of dying in childbirth than of finishing school;
o The maternal mortality rate is the highest in the world and the child immunization rate the lowest.

I’ve been trying to create a link to the full report, but Firefox keeps crashing and I really don’t know why it’s so hellbent on wasting half my day. So, in light of the fact that I have a few other things to accomplish this afternoon, you can e-mail me if you’re interested in the report and I’ll forward it to you.

Take care. I love you.