Neglected tropical diseases elimination activities in South Sudan's largest refugee camp: lessons from 2 years of work.

Abstract

Maban County, home to South Sudan's largest refugee camps, faces complex health and humanitarian challenges and is co-endemic for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. The division into two Implementation Units, one for the host community and the other one for the refugee camps, as recommended by the WHO Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN), has improved the visibility of the refugee population, ensuring tailored planning and equitable inclusion in all stages of treatment delivery. Conducting mass drug administration campaigns in refugee camps requires strong coordination among multiple stakeholders and tailored training for frequently changing personnel, but benefits from the camps' structured layout, which enhances efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Morbidity management and disability prevention for lymphoedema and hydrocele were implemented for the first time in a refugee setting in South Sudan, highlighting the need for strong non-governmental organisation coordination and a national framework to standardise and reduce the cost of hydrocele surgery. Lessons from displacement-affected areas can guide inclusive strategies to ensure conflict-affected communities are not left behind in achieving WHO 2030 neglected tropical disease targets.