![A child carries his younger sister on his back. Both children are living on the street in Aweil, South Sudan [Photo by UNICEF]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/South-Sudan-street-children-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C666&quality=89&ssl=1)
A joint report issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), along with the government, stated that the total number of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) cases are estimated at 480,000 and 1.17 million, respectively.
Bentiu, which is heavily impacted by floods, faces the most severe levels of malnutrition, with Rubkona County projected to reach IPC Acute Malnutrition Phase 5 by April 2024 for the first time ever.
According to the report, the nutrition situation is expected to worsen during the next lean season, with 67 counties projected to experience severe, critical, or very critical malnutrition levels.
The key contributing factors to the increased acute malnutrition rates include a high prevalence of diseases, poor access to safe water sources and sanitation, food insecurity, and inadequate feeding practices – compounded by the return of a large number of children from Sudan.
Only five out of 100 children are receiving the recommended quality and frequency of food required for optimal growth, the report noted.
About 34.6% of children achieved the Minimum Meal frequency, while only 21% achieved the Minimum Dietary Diversity.
Speaking during the launch of the IPC report on Monday in Juba, Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director, emphasized the dire consequences of acute malnutrition situations.
“An estimated 1.6 million children under the age of five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition,” said Mary.
She explained that this is the first time the country has witnessed such extreme critical levels of malnutrition, attributed to the combined effects of diseases and food insecurity.
Ismail Khan, Deputy Country Representative of UNICEF in South Sudan, stated that the nutrition cluster is seeking $210 million to address the needs of children suffering from acute malnutrition and adults facing food shortages.
“More funding is urgently needed to alleviate this critical acute malnutrition situation. The Nutrition Cluster partners require USD 210 million, including USD 6.5 million for South Sudanese returning from Sudan,” said Khan.
He called on the government of South Sudan, the international community, and all stakeholders to continue collaborating to address the food security crisis in South Sudan.
