Eleven years after independence, South Sudan remains one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.
8.9 million people, including 4.5 million children, need humanitarian assistance. Widespread food insecurity, climate shocks, upsurges in violence, poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene, and infectious diseases like malaria are putting children at risk.
Around 1.4 million children under 5 are acutely malnourished (1 in 6 children) – it’s one of the highest proportions in the world.
Despite the challenges, we’ve met communities who are resilient and determined. We’ve witnessed some remarkable stories of hope and we will do whatever it takes to reach children in danger with lifesaving supplies. Help us bring hope to the children of South Sudan today.
Adiyah and Junior
On the outskirts of Juba in South Sudan’s POC (Protection of Civilians) camp, mothers cradle their children, still traumatised by violence they witnessed in their villages far away. Now their biggest fear is losing their babies to malnutrition.
19-year-old Adiyah looks down at her baby who has had a difficult start to life. Little Junior is legally blind, has cerebral palsy and is underweight.
“My son can’t see or support his neck. When he is sick I am very worried,” says Adiyah.
UNICEF is supporting children like Junior who are malnourished with ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). This special lifesaving food is packed full of vitamins and nutrients, comes in a one-dose foil packet and doesn’t require refrigeration. UNICEF provides 80 per cent of the world's supply, and just 3 packets a day, for 6-8 weeks, can save a child’s life.
Will you provide hope and a future for the children of South Sudan?
South Sudanese people in need of humanitarian assistance is at record high, whilst funding is at an all time low.
