Children in Sudan need more humanitarian assistance than ever before

UNICEF warned that a record of 4.5 million children in South Sudan are in desperate need of humanitarian support. Hopes that independence would bring a new dawn for the country’s children have faded. Outs of violence and conflict, recurring floods, droughts and other extreme weather events fuelled by climate change, and a deepening economic crisis have led to extremely high food insecurity, and one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore affirmed that ‘’ The hope and optimism that children and families in South Sudan felt at the birth of their country in 2011 have slowly turned to desperation and hopelessness,”.

 Around 8.3 million people in South Sudan need humanitarian support, a much higher number than the levels seen during the 2013-2018 civil war, which ranged from 6.1 million to 7.5 million people. In addition, the child mortality rate is among the highest in the world, with 1 in 10 children not expected to reach their fifth birthday. Food insecurity, limited access to education and access to basic health care are also concerning UNICEF.

UNICEF is working on the ground with the help of several partners, but has asked for additional financial help to fund its intervention, as a cut in donations for South Sudan has already been announced. Here you can read the UNICEF appeal.