US announces $25M aid package to South Sudan

JUBA – The United State Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on Wednesday contribution of $25 million to the UN Children’s Fund to support the fight against malnutrition in South Sudan

The contribution will be used to assist over 1.4 million children expected to suffer from acute malnutrition.

Haven Cruz-Hubbard, USAID Mission Director in South Sudan, said the contribution will help over 1.4 million children likely to face the highest levels of malnutrition in the country.

“This support will help the UNICEF and partners to be able to ensure early screening for malnutrition of 2.2 million children and provide them with adequate assistance,” Cruz-Hubbard said in a press statement extended to Sudans Post this afternoon.

He disclosed over 97,600 children suffering from the worst form of malnutrition and at risk of dying will be provided with therapeutic food.

“According to the most recent UN assessments, 1.4 million children less than 5 years are acutely malnourished, including more than 310,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition,” he said.

“USAID’s partnership with UNICEF is critical in the treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition. In 2020, USAID funding for ready to use therapeutic food treated 52% of all children admitted with severe acute malnutrition in South Sudan,” he added.

He said “No child should have to suffer from malnutrition. Hence, we need to increase the focus on prevention”.

“The funding of USAID, more than one million mothers, fathers and caregivers of children below 24 months will benefit from Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition Counselling, giving them the necessary knowledge and skills to prevent their children from falling into malnutrition,” he disclosed.

Andrea Suley, UNICEF South Sudan Representative said that ‘We are grateful for the continued support of USAID in the prevention of malnutrition as well as the treatment”.

“UNICEF is committed to assist all the children in need, while promoting a cross-sectoral approach addressing all the underlying factors of malnutrition,” Suley added.