STORY: Rehabilitation Centers in South Sudan restore hope for disabled amid refugee influx
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 28, 2025
DATELINE: March 2, 2025
LENGTH: 00:02:35
LOCATION: Juba
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/MEDICINE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of rehabilitation center in Juba
2. various of rehabilitation taking place at the center
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): FIFUMI ODUNOWO, Manager of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): FIFUMI ODUNOWO, Manager of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): FIFUMI ODUNOWO, Manager of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

STORYLINE:

Hundreds of people with disabilities in South Sudan are successfully recovering from physical and social trauma, thanks to the physiotherapy treatments and provision of artificial limbs supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a humanitarian organization based in Geneva.
   
As the country grapples with a significant influx of refugees from neighboring conflict zones, the organization is intensifying its efforts to support individuals with disabilities.
   
The Juba Rehabilitation Reference Center, along with facilities in Wau and Rumbek, serves as a crucial hub for individuals who have suffered from gunshot wounds, landmine injuries, and the lingering effects of unexploded ordnance - remnants of decades of strife.
   
Fifumi Odunowo, manager of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) physical rehabilitation program in South Sudan, says there has been a significant increase of refugee patients as compared to last year spiked by the conflict in Sudan.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): FIFUMI ODUNOWO, Manager of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), South Sudan
"So last year, in response to that influx of service users from the conflict-neighboring country, we increased our outreaches to meet the needs of specifically refugees and returnees. And this, within the last quarter of last year, we had 11 outreaches, which is much higher than what we did the rest of the year. And this year, between January and now, we have 17 percent of all the people that we treat in the three centers are returnees and refugees. So the influx is quite high compared to this time last year when it was only 2 percent."

According to Fifumi, the organization is committed to supporting both refugees and injured individuals. He says the organization's focus on community engagement and rehabilitation is paramount, as it aims to restore hope and dignity to those affected by conflict.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): FIFUMI ODUNOWO, Manager of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), South Sudan
"Since 2009, ICRC has been providing raw materials for the production of devices in the three centers, as well as training of the staff in the centers. ICRC has contributed to scholarships that have sent several staff abroad for training, including physiotherapists and also prosthetists. In addition to all of that, ICRC supports capacity building within the country of all staff within the center."

Additionally, the organization runs a social inclusion program aimed at empowering vulnerable individuals to establish or sustain businesses. Cash grants are provided, with ongoing monitoring and business training to ensure success.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): FIFUMI ODUNOWO, Manager of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), South Sudan
"Now, the impact that we've seen that persons with disabilities have been able to then grow their businesses and support their families more, including females with disabilities who are now becoming breadwinners for their families. This cash grant has supported them to be able to send their children to school to feed their families."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Juba.
(XHTV)