As the developing countries struggle with the pandemic that has ravaged global economies, the African Development Bank has approved a $4.16 million towards the fight of Covid-19 in South Sudan. The bank, in a statement, said that the grant will bolster the country’s capacity to detect Covid-19 cases and prevent further spread that is likely to overwhelm her already struggling healthy systems. The bulk of activities under the Bank-funded project will focus on improving facilities for the management of Covid-19 cases, including the procurement of oxygen cylinders and the recruitment and training of health workers. It will improve capacity for the detection of cases and the tracing of contacts,” added the Pan-African lender. South Sudan became a member of the AfDB in 2012, shortly after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011.

The country has recorded 1,942 Covid-19 cases with 224 recoveries.  36 people have died from the virus. The pandemic has hit the youngest nation hard at a time when it’s recovering from a fragile conflict that has killed thousands and displaced millions from their country. Having formed a unitary government between President Salva Kiir and his nemesis rebel Leader Dr Riek Machar, there has been a semblance of order and normalcy gaining traction as the leaders began to pick the pieces. No one at the moment knows for sure, how the pandemic will affect this fledgling democracy as it struggles to rebuild itself going forward.