IPED Lecture Series 2022-2023: The Carter Foundation’s Guinea Worm Eradication Program

The Guinea Worm Eradication Program (GWEP) has reduced Guinea worm transmission by more than 99.99% since 1986, successfully eliminating it in 16 countries. The GWEP remains working to fully eradicate Guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis) in Mali, Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Angola. The goal of program completion is now set for 2030.

Giovanna Steel first joined in 2014 as a technical advisor to the program in South Sudan, where she subsequently served as a regional coordinator and deputy country representative. Steel has a master’s degree in conflict resolution from Georgetown University and bachelor of arts degrees in political science, Spanish, and international studies from Loyola University Chicago.