German support for Eye Care campaigns Restores Eyesight of Over 10,000 People in South Sudan
Juba, South Sudan – 13 February 2025 – With support of the Federal Republic of Germany, 13,000 people in South Sudan have benefitted from two Eye Care Campaigns in South Sudan. The Catholic Diocese of Wau organized the campaigns with the support of Germany through the German Embassy in South Sudan and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the South Sudan Red Cross, Cure Blindness and State Ministries of Health. The German support for the Eye Care Campaigns has provided high-quality care to people with vision impairments, including the blind.
The campaigns brought essential medical care to communities in Lakes State (Mapuordit) and Northern Bahr El Ghazal (Aweil). A dedicated team of local medical professionals led the success of these campaigns, working alongside international experts to deliver high-quality care to those in need. Their hard work, passion, and commitment to improving the lives of people with vision impairments reflects their dedication to serving their fellow South Sudanese.
The results were extraordinary:
- 13,000 individuals were screened for eye conditions;
- Almost 10,000 people were treated for eye conditions such as infections, allergic reactions, and glaucoma; and
- Over 2,650 (over 2,000 in Aweil and over 650 in Mapuordit) cataract surgeries were performed, restoring sight to those who had been living with blindness.
Vision impairment and blindness remain urgent public health concerns in South Sudan, affecting over 1.1 million people, with nearly 100,000 living in complete blindness. For those impacted, the effects are profound: They are limiting access to education, livelihoods, and independence while deepening poverty within families.
Challenges such as poor infrastructure, limited healthcare services, and widespread poverty have made access to treatment nearly impossible for many, particularly in rural areas. By restoring sight, these initiatives have enabled children to return to school, parents to provide for their families, and individuals to re-engage with their communities – ushering in a new chapter of dignity, productivity, and hope. Importantly, the campaigns also extended care to refugees, who particularly face limited access to essential services.
Germany is a committed partner in South Sudan’s development, providing support in areas such as local governance, rural development, sustainable agriculture, improved water and sanitation, peacebuilding, promoting gender equality and SGBV prevention.
