South Sudan, UNICEF call for stronger breastfeeding support
Credit: Ellie Kealey
The Ministry of Health and UNICEF have called for stronger support for breastfeeding mothers as South Sudan joins the global commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week 2026.
The commemoration, held Friday under the theme “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen what works,” highlights the importance of breastfeeding in improving child survival, growth and development and promoting healthier families and communities.
The Ministry of Health and UNICEF said they are advocating for the finalization of a national decree regulating the marketing of breast milk substitutes to ensure families receive clear and accurate information about infant and young child feeding.
“Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding remains a critical strategy for improving child survival and nutrition outcomes, especially during emergencies,” the two organizations said in a joint statement.
Breastfeeding provides infants with essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect them against common childhood illnesses, including diarrhea and pneumonia. It is also considered one of the most effective and cost-efficient interventions for improving child health and nutrition.
South Sudan continues to face persistent challenges related to child mortality and malnutrition, making efforts to improve maternal, infant and young child nutrition a priority.
According to the 2025 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 76% of mothers in South Sudan initiate breastfeeding within one hour of giving birth, while 71% continue breastfeeding until their children are 2 years old or beyond.
Health Minister Luke Thompson Loan said every mother should have access to the information and support needed to breastfeed successfully.
“Breastfeeding is a powerful investment in the health and future of our children and our nation,” Loan said. “Every mother deserves the support, information and enabling environment needed to successfully breastfeed.”
UNICEF Country Representative in South Sudan Noala Skinner said breastfeeding is a sustainable investment that benefits children, families, communities and the environment.
“South Sudan is doing well with early initiation of breastfeeding, and UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Government of South Sudan in strengthening policies, health systems and community-based interventions,” Skinner said.
UNICEF said its support includes providing mothers with information and advice on breastfeeding and appropriate complementary foods.
Under the government-led Health Sector Transformation Project, community health workers visit mothers at home to provide guidance on infant feeding and refer women to health facilities when they encounter difficulties.
The Ministry of Health and UNICEF urged mothers and families to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, exclusively breastfeed for the first six months and continue breastfeeding until age 2 or beyond, alongside the timely introduction of complementary foods at 6 months.
They also called on health workers to provide breastfeeding counseling, communities to create supportive environments, employers to adopt family-friendly workplace policies and development partners to continue investing in maternal, infant and young child nutrition programs.
