Implementation of Health Initiatives During a Cease-fire--Sudan, 1995

In 1994, Sudan (1994 population: 27 million) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) one third of the global total of cases of dracunculiasis (i.e., Guinea worm disease), which is targeted for eradication by the end of 1995 (1,2). On March 27, 1995, the government of Sudan announced a cease-fire of 2 months' duration in the 12-year-old civil war in the southern part of the country--both sides agreed to the cease-fire primarily to permit acceleration of efforts to eradicate dracunculiasis and to promote treatment of other health problems including onchocerciasis (i.e., liver blindness), administration of childhood vaccines, and distribution of vitamin A. This report summarizes the status of dracunculiasis and onchocerciasis in Sudan and provisional information on activities undertaken by the government of Sudan and other organizations during the cease-fire.